From Daijiworld's special correspondent (MB)

Panaji, Jun 21: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to hold all the forthcoming polls in Goa on electronic voting machines (EVMs) doing away with the ballot boxes forever, officials stated.
 
"Even the civic elections like Municipal and Panchayat polls would be conducted on EVMs," State Election Commissioner, P M Borkar, said.
 
The decision was taken recently during the two-day National conference of the State election commissioners at Nainital.

The conference was presided by the Chief Election Commissioner, N Gopalaswamy, and his associate election commissioners, who collectively debated on the electoral reforms with regard to the civic body elections in the country, Borkar stated.

Goa will be the second state after Rajasthan to implement this kind of electoral reforms for civic polls.

"Minor amendments in the state Panchayat Raj Act' and the 'Municipalities Act' will have to be made allowing EVMs," he added.
 
The general elections for 13 municipalities and 50 zila parishad constituencies in the state are scheduled in the year 2009.
 
To make the entire process ballot paper-free, the election commission has recommended purchase 25 per cent of total EVMs by the state, Borkar said adding, "rest would be provided by the CEC."

"The State Election Commission has also made a budget provision for purchase of 400 EVMs in next two financial years," he said.