Baijal rejects Kejriwal’s demand for using ballot paper in civic polls

New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) Delhi Lt. Governor Anil Baijal on Thursday rejected Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's demand to opt for ballot papers instead of EVMs for the coming civic body elections in April.

According to sources in the Lt. Governor's office, Baijal did not agree to the government's proposal to amend rules for use of ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Kejriwal on Wednesday said some rules need to be changed and since the power to do so rests with the Lt. Governor, the request for conducting the polls through ballot papers was sent to Baijal's office.

"The Lt. Governor did not agree to the proposal to amend the rules. There are problems of limited time and logistics as well," the source said.

Baijal is said to have pointed out that EVMs were extensively used in earlier polls as well, as conveyed by the Delhi State Election Commission.

Kejriwal had earlier said he would urge the Lt. Governor to hold a meeting with him and leaders of other political parties to see if there was a possibility of conducting the elections to three municipal corporation through ballot papers.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader's demand followed allegations that EVMs were tampered with in the just-concluded assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh.

Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken had also approached the Election Commission with the same demand.

Election to the south, north and east Delhi MCs would be held on April 22. The results would be declared on April 25.