EVMs with candidates’ pictures introduced

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Khadoor Sahib, February 13

To check any mischief played by political parties as part of their election management tactics by fielding namesakes of rival candidates, the Election Commission for the first time introduced EVMs carrying pictures of the candidates in Khadoor Sahib byelection today.

An official said the move was aimed at removing confusion, if any, in the minds of voters in case more than one candidate with the same name are in the fray.

During the last Lok Sabha elections, Congress candidate Manpreet Singh Badal had faced a problem as his namesake contested as an Independent candidate. Incidentally, the Independent candidate was issued “kite” as the election symbol. The “kite” was the symbol of the People’s Party of Punjab, floated by Manpreet.