Rajasthan University is set to become the country’s first varsity to use the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) at the union polls scheduled for on August 23. The chief electoral office of Rajasthan has granted permission to use 920 EVMs in RU campus and its four constituent colleges – Maharaja’s, Maharani’s, Commerce and Rajasthan College.
Dev Swarup, vice-chancellor, RU, said, “We are yet to receive any official communique but the poll panel office was keen in providing EVMs.” RU had requested the state election office seeking 1000 EVMs.
Speaking on the benefits of EVMs, Swarup said, “RU has a student strength of 29,000 which is the highest count in any state. Even 50% voter turnout leads to long queues especially at Maharani’s college and Law College in the ballot box system which is a time consuming process. This often tantamounts to law and order problems.”
The old ballot system involves hundreds of boxes, printed candidates’ list, ballot stamps and huge transportation for the same. Every year, hundreds of votes turnout to be null and void which is zero in the EVM. system. Student’s bodies accuse each other of rigging, now the possibility will be negligible. RU is also hopeful of the fact that the voting percentage will shoot up with the introduction of EVMs.
Src- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Rajasthan-University-to-be-first-university-in-the-country-to-use-EVMs/articleshow/40085044.cms