Chennai: In a bid to ensure there is no shortage of electronic voting machines (EVMs) for local body polls, 12,000 EVMs and 6,000 jumbo sized ballot boxes have arrived from other states, state election commission sources said. Odisha has given its additional stock of EVMs and ballot boxes to be used for rural areas have arrived from neighbouring Andhra.
These ballot boxes will be distributed to Kancheepuram, Tiruchy, Ariyalur, Cuddlaore, Nagapattinam and Thiruvarur districts. So far, 20 districts have completed the examination of EVMS and other 12 districts have commenced the machine verification of control and ballot units, sources said adding that about 75,933 EVMs will be used for the October civic polls.
Earlier in the day, state election commissioner P. Seetharaman on conducted a high-level meeting with poll observers and district election officers to discuss poll arrangements and to ensure that the model code of conduct is implemented.
According to SEC sources, the commissioner told poll officials to keep adequate voters roll in stock and distribute it to all polling booths and recognised political parties.
Public grievances meeting and inaugural functions should not be conducted till the code is lifted and all the district collectors should get their updates on nominations. Training for poll staff and inspection of all polling booths should be completed by next week were some of the instructions given by election commissioner.
