EC under discussion whether to use traditional or modern voting machines

KATHMANDU, Feb 9: Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhi Prasad Yadav today said that the Election Commission is readying itself for election that is supposed to take place in Jestha although government has not yet announced the date for the election.

Quoting the Interim Constitution has granted the right to announce election date to the government he said during an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal at Bhrikutimandap presided by senior journalist and Club President Rishi Dhamala, “We have already submitted the grand action plan clearly stating our commitment for the Jestha election.”

He refused the rumors in news media that the Election Commission (EC) has already imported the Electrical voting machine and added that the commission was under discussion about whether to use traditional and new voting system.

However Dr. Yadav encouraged the use of electronic voting system for fair result. He added, “We have already used electronic voting machine imported from India in Constituent Assembly Election in Kathmandu Constituent 1 and in 6 other areas in sub-election.”

He added that there was no Nepal made electronic voting machine and ignored the idea of importing voting machine from India as the Indian voting machine could not bear the load of local level election.

He also said electronic voting machines from other foreign countries would be procured only after completing certain processes.

Speaking about the available voting machines in Nepal, he said that the available machines were not certified. “Election Commission would not oppose if they bring us the certified voting machines.”