
First-level checking of EVMs begins in Erode
The first-level checking of electronic voting machines (EVMs) that will be used in the by-elections to elect nine town panchayat ward members began at the Collectorate here on Tuesday.
Vacancies exist in the following town panchayats: Anthiyur – 17th ward, Bhavanisagar – 11th ward, Chennasamudram – 7th ward, Karumandichellipalayam – 2nd ward, Kilambadi – 10th ward, Gugalur – 3rd and 5th wards, Pallapalayam – 11th ward, and Vaniputhur – 4th ward. The State Election Commission is yet to announce the date for the by-elections to fill these vacancies.
As part of the preparedness measures, the EVM checking process has commenced in the district. Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara inspected the process, which is being carried out by engineers from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hindu
6 hours ago
- The Hindu
Elections via ballot papers will bring back BSP's ‘good days': Mayawati
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief Mayawati on Thursday (June 5, 2025) said her party's "good days" would return if elections are held through ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Addressing a press conference here, she reiterated her demand for conducting all elections through ballot papers, alleging that EVMs were being tampered to prevent BSP candidates from winning. "Parties with casteist ideologies, both in power and in opposition, have been managing certain opportunistic and self-serving individuals from Dalit and other marginalised communities behind the scenes. These elements are being used to form various organisations and parties that are misleading our support base and dividing votes in BSP's strongholds, especially in Uttar Pradesh," she said. The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister further alleged that rival political parties were adopting various tactics to ensure that BSP's presence in national politics remains minimal. "These parties are not only creating and sustaining opportunistic outfits but are also transferring their votes to them in elections to help a few of their candidates win, thereby weakening the BSP's prospects," she claimed. "Furthermore, EVM manipulation is being used to defeat BSP candidates, in an attempt to break the trust of Dalit and marginalised voters in the BSP," Mayawati said. She said that concerns regarding EVMs are now being raised by several opposition parties, adding, "Most opposition parties, including the BSP, now want that all elections, whether big or small, should be conducted through ballot papers like in the past." "Though this might not be possible under the current government, we hope it can happen after a change in power," she said. Ms. Mayawati expressed confidence that if the electoral process shifts back to ballot papers, the BSP would regain its lost political ground and its good days will be back. She also cautioned her party workers against "self-serving and opportunistic" organisations and parties that, she claimed, have no real connection with B.R. Ambedkar, BSP founder Kanshi Ram, or the broader Bahujan movement. "Even if leaders from these groups become MPs, MLAs, or ministers for their personal gains, it will not bring any real benefit to Dalits and marginalised sections," she said. The BSP supremo also criticised the lack of equitable participation of Bahujans in the country's GDP growth and described the ongoing poverty and unemployment as a matter of concern. She alleged that the country's borders have not been fully secure for years, resulting in frequent terror incidents. On the Pahalgam terror attack, she said it was "deeply saddening and worrying" and criticised the politicisation of such incidents. "It is unfortunate that such sensitive matters are being used for political gain. This should not happen," she said.


Hans India
7 hours ago
- Hans India
Mayawati hopes BSP will bounce back on revival of paper ballots
Lucknow: Seeking the re-introduction of paper ballot, Bahujan Samaj Party National President Mayawati on Thursday blamed the alleged manipulation of electronic voting machines (EVMs) for her party's recent diminishing electoral success. 'Most of the opposition parties, including our party, want that all the small and big elections in the country should be conducted through ballot papers like before. But this is not possible under the current government,' said Mayawati, in her address to media persons. Looking to revitalise her party cadre in the backdrop of recent electoral reverses, Mayawati said, 'A change of regime is on the cards in the country and this will surely bring back ballot papers. Therefore, BSP workers need not feel disheartened and should remain focused on strengthening the organisation.' She said anti-Dalit forces have joined hands with other parties to weaken the BSP and manipulate EVMs to prevent party candidates from winning elections. 'Considering the prevailing political mood in the country, the EVM-related voting system can change at any moment, and all elections will be conducted using paper ballots. The return of paper ballots would also bring back good times for the BSP,' said Mayawati. The Dalit leader also trained her guns on forces which, she claimed, were trying to mislead BSP workers and supporters and weaken forces devoted to the welfare of the marginalised sections. In a subtle reference to the exit of former BSP MP from Bijnor, Malook Nagar, in April, Mayawati said the Dalits would never benefit even if opportunist leaders – who work at the behest of parties like the Congress, BJP and Samajwadi Party – become MPs, MLAs or ministers. Without naming the emerging Dalit leader from Uttar Pradesh, Changrashekhar Azad of the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram), Mayawati also alerted voters against opportunistic organisations and leaders who 'misuse' the names of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram as part of a conspiracy to split Dalit votes, ultimately benefiting other parties.


Deccan Herald
9 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
Elections via ballot papers will bring back BSP's 'good days': Mayawati
Addressing a press conference here, she reiterated her demand for conducting all elections through ballot papers, alleging that EVMs were being tampered to prevent BSP candidates from winning.