New Delhi ~ 9th October

The Government has provided Rs. 180 crores during 2001-2002 for acquisition of additional 1.50 lakh Electronic Voting Machines by the Election Commission for using these machines regularly in the forthcoming elections as compared to a provision of Rs. 150 crores for purchase of similar number of Electronic Voting Machines during 2000-2001.

During 2000-2001 the Election Commission acquired 1.5 lakh Electronic Voting Machines at a cost of Rs. 150 crores for use in the Assembly Elections in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Pondicherry in 2001. The acquisition of similar number of Electronic Voting Machines this year as well has been recommended by the Election Commission.

The Election commission is of the view that once a constituency has voted with Electronic Voting Machines it would not be practical or desirable to go back to the traditional ballot boxes for poll in such constituencies in future. It would therefore be necessary to start planning to provide the full requirement of Electronic Voting Machines on a permanent basis to each State in a phased manner.