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Despite major opposition parties are against electronic voting machines (EVM), the Election Commission has decided to buy new machines for the five Tamil Nadu by-elections slated for Aug 18.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer, Naresh Gupta said: "The new machines will have advanced features like reading time wise polling and the number of votes polled at a particular time."
He said the new machines were needed as the existing machines were nearly 15 years old. According to Gupta, two government companies Bharat Electronics Ltd and Electronics Corp of India Ltd will manufacture the EVMs. He said polling will be recorded live in all booths. He urged all political parties to participate in the elections.
By-elections are scheduled in the five constituencies of Bargur, Thondamuthur, Cumbum, Illayangudi and Srivaikundam.
Tamil Nadu's major opposition party AIADMK and its ally MDMK have announced their decision to boycott the by-elections, alleging that the exercise would not be free and fair. They have also expressed fears that the EVMs may not be tamper proof.
