Poll panel mulling use of ballot paper where number of candidates exceeds 64
Poll panel mulling use of ballot paper where number of candidates exceeds 64
The Election Commission (EC) is considering the conventional method of voting by ballot papers in a number of
parliamentary segments across the country where the list of candidates is expected to overshoot the slots in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
ADVERTISEMENT
A top Election Commission official, wishing anonymity, said that the matter is still under consideration.
"Apart from the substantial rise in the number of candidates, there is a shortage of EVMs. Also, thousands of the machines cannot be used as they are with the courts in connection with pending election-related cases.
For instance, in Delhi there are 21,000 EVMs, out of which 7,500 cannot be used. Around ten per cent of the machines are also kept for emergency purposes," the official said.
Ballot papers may be used in some constituencies, which will go for polls in the fourth and fifth phase of voting, EC sources confirmed.
As many as 55 candidates are in the fray from the New Delhi parliamentary constituency while it is 44 for Chandni Chowk. Even if some people withdraw their papers, still a large number will remain in the fray.
An EVM unit can be used only if there are 16 candidates in fray and the election officials cannot have more than four machines at a polling station. If the number of candidates exceed 64, ballot paper is used for voting. Though the number of candidates in a constituency has not gone beyond 64 so far.
"I am told that a large number of candidates have filed nominations for the elections in some constituencies. We are discussing the situation. There is no hitch. If we have to go for balloting, we will do that. We have done it in the past also," Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami said.u00a0u00a0
"All states, except West Bengal, have asked for extra EVMs. Nominations for last phase of elections are still on. In the next few days the picture will be clear. If situation arises, we will go for paper ballot in some areas," added Gopalaswami.
Fact file
Total number of voters in Yearu00a0 2004 - 671 million
Total number of voters in 2009 - 714 million
(An increase of 43 million)
Total number of polling stations in 2004 - 68,7402
Total number of polling stations in 2009 - 8,28,804 stations
(Up by 1,41,402 stations)
Total number of EVMs used in 2004 elections - 10.75 lakh
Total number of EVMs being used in 2009 - 13.68 EVMs
(An increase of 2.93 lakhu00a0 EVMs)
In 2004 the maximum number of candidates from a constituency was 35 from Madras south
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
