Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad are amongst the 46 constituencies in the country that will step into the next millennium by discarding the age-old voting system of using the ballot paper and stamps. ``The step has been taken after the successful use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the recent elections in Goa and bypolls in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. This time the machines will be used for limited polling in these constituencies,'' said J T Akhani, Deputy District Election Officer, at a press conference this evening.

Fourteen constituencies in the State will use the machines. These include Kalupur, Rakhial, Shaherkotda, Khadia, Jamalpur, Maninagar, Naroda, Sarkhej, Sabarmati, Ellisbridge, Daria-Kazi, Shahpur, Asarva and Gandhinagar. Around 29 lakh voters in Ahmedabad and 2 lakh in Gandhinagar will use them.

The neat looking device comprises two parts -- a small rectangular controlling unit and a larger balloting unit -- connected by a wide linking cord. While the controlling unit will remain with the presiding officer, the balloting unit with buttons corresponding to 16 election symbols along with names of candidates in Hindi as well as English will be handled by the voters.

All the voter has to do is walk into the booth, look at the symbols on the balloting unit, read the corresponding names of candidates and press the desired blue button. A loud beep and a flashing red light will assure him or her that the voting has been registered by the machine. The EVM also has a safeguard against multiple voting.

The Government has shelled out Rs 10,000 per electronic voting machine, 5,000 of which will be used in the forthcoming elections. The concept might be new for Gujarat voters but the machines happen to be 10 years old. They were purchased in 1988-89. ``The price is misleading as the machines can be used for the next 10 years'' said Collector VS Gadvi.