Farmers insist on use of ballot papers in Nizamabad LS seat
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Hyderabad: Some ryots, who have filed papers from Nizamabad, Monday said they would insist on use ofballot papers, a day after the Election Commission declared it would use EVMs for conduct of polls in the Lok Sabha seat where 185 candidates including over 170 farmers are in the fray.
The farmers had filed their nominations from Nizamabad, where Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha is seeking re-election, protesting the alleged failure of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi to ensure minimum support price for turmeric and red jowar (sorghum).
They are also demanding setting up of a turmeric board.
A section of farmers said "We want paper ballot, they say they will use EVMs. This is not fair. We will undertake agitation..."
With 185 candidates, including the farmers, in the fray for the April 11 elections in the state, the Election Commission has issued instructions to the CEO, Telangana to make arrangements for conductof elections to the Nizamabad constituency using Electronic Voting Machines.
The Commission has issued orders to M/s ECIL for immediate supply of 26820 BUs, 2240 CUs and 2600 VVPATs of third-generation (M3) Electronic Voting Machines make, to CEO Telangana.
According to the information provided by the EC, in case of M2 EVMs, which were used between 2006 and 2010, they can cater to a maximum of 64 candidates including NOTA.
In case of M3 EVMs (post 2013), EVMs can cater to a maximum of 384 candidates, including NOTA, by connecting 24 balloting Units.
A state government official said they are in the process of procuring the EVMs.
Farmers have been seeking minimum support price of Rs15,000 per quintal for turmeric andRs3,500 MSP per quintal of red jowar, besides setting up of a turmeric board.