Not EVMs but ballot boxes for civic polls:SEC

Hyderabad, June 3 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner (SEC) A V S Reddy today said the state would use ballot boxes, instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the ensuing Panchayat elections.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Reddy said the commission had directed the district administrations to give priority to printing ballot papers. The state required 1.61 lakh ballot boxes, he added.

Directing the government to stop transfer of Mandal Parishad Development Officers (MPDOs), District CEOs and DPOs, he asked the district administations to identify sensitive areas and polling booths to take precautionary steps.

With a view to conducting free and fair elections the commission also demanded anticipatory arrests of anti-social elements.

The commission would organise an all party meeting to finalise the election schedule and expenses, he said.

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