Large number of EVMs used in Nizamabad

The arrangements made for polling in Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency and use of an unprecedented number of EVMs may find a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Chief Electoral Officer Dr Rajat Kumar told reporters on Thursday evening that it was for the first time that as many as 21,456 Balloting Units, 1,788 Control Units and 1,788 VVPATs were used to conduct an election in a single constituency. “This is the largest such effort in the world ever and we have asked Guinness Book of World Records for its inclusion,” he said.

 

Rajat Kumar said the publishers will verify the claim and if satisfied, may include this effort in the record books.

Only a very small number of the machines, 163 Balloting Units, 39 Control Units and 87 VVPATs had to be replaced in the constituency, he



said.

Rajat Kumar also said that if the seizures of cash, liquor and other material during the 2018 State Assembly elections are taken into account along with the seizures during the current Lok Sabha polls in the State, the total value was about three times higher than what was seized in the 2014 elections. In the last polls, the total value of seized materials and cash was to the tune of Rs 74.56 crore and value of seizures during 2018 Assembly and Lok Sabha polls now totaled Rs 220 crore.

He said polling in Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency, despite the large number of contestants and the efforts involved in terms of material and personnel, was very peaceful. “I must give credit and congratulate the entire Nizamabad team for ensuring smooth conduct of the election,” he said.