India donates EVMs to Nepal

India on Thursday handed over to Nepal Electronic Voting Machines in its efforts to support the institutionalisation of multiparty democracy in the Himalayan country.

The move to give EVMs worth USD 1,50,000 by India comes after Nepal successfully conducted election in Kathmandu-1 constituency with the help of such machines as part of a pilot project for the first time in its history.

After this, the election commission decided to conduct bypolls in the six constituencies on April 10 with these EVMs.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Rakesh Sood on Thursday handed over the EVMs to the secretary of Election Commission, Shushil Junga Bahadur Rana.

There are some 870 control units, 470 ballot units and 1212 battery packs, according to a release issued by the Election Commission. The supply of EVMs reflect India's continued commitment to support the institutionalisation of multiparty democracy in Nepal, Sood said.

Earlier in April last year, India had supplied 200 EVMs and 600 additional ballot units for use in the Constituent Assembly elections. India will support the efforts of Nepalese people toward establishing peace, democracy and prosperity, he said.

Chief Election Commissioner Pokharel said the Election Commission was working out on a five-year strategy to introduce EVMs throughout the country.