HYDERABAD: In the ensuing Telangana Assembly elections, the electronic voting machines (EVMs) will have photographs of the candidates contesting elections. Polling will be held on December 7 in all the 119 constituencies in the state.
Till now the ballot has had only the names and symbols of candidates. In case of same or similar names of candidates in the same constituency, voters were often confused about their identification. Although appropriate suffixes are given to the names in the event of two or more candidates having the same name, the ECI thought that additional measures were required for removing the confusion in the minds of the electors at the time of voting.
In order to help the electors identify the candidates, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has prescribed an additional measure of printing the photograph of a candidate also on the ballot paper to be displayed on the EVM (Ballot Unit) and the postal ballot paper as well. Candidates are required to submit to the returning officer their recent stamp-size photograph as per the specifications laid down by the commission. The five poll-bound states will be using the photograph of the candidates on the ballot papers.
In a partial modification of its existing directions, the ECI specified that for elections to be held from May 1, 2015, postal ballot papers and ballot papers to be displayed on the balloting unit of EVM should, in addition to the particulars as per the existing directions, also contain the photograph of the candidate. The photograph of the candidate should be printed on the panel for the name of the candidate and should appear on the right side of the name in between the name and symbol of the candidate.
Under the new system, a 2 cm X 2.5 cm size photograph of the candidate contesting will be displayed on the EVM. For NOTA option the space for photo will be left blank. Use of photos, alphabetical listing of names, will reduce the alleged probability of EVMs being tampered with.
Photo specifications
Under the new system, a 2 cm X 2.5 cm size photograph of the candidate contesting will be displayed on the EVM. However, for NOTA option the space for photo will be left blank.
The names will be listed alphabetically starting with those from national parties, followed by those from regional parties and then the independents or other parties. Ballot papers meant for service employed voters will also have photographs of candidates contesting election.