India to provide electronic voting machines to Nepal

KATHMANDU: India has assured Nepal of providing all necessary help, including electronic voter machines, to hold free and fair Constituent Assembly polls in the Himalayan nation.

Foreign Secretary Shiv Shanker Menon during his talks with Nepal's Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokharel agreed to provide the voting machines and other necessary help to the country, officials said.
  
"Electronic voting will be conducted in one of the constituencies in Kathmandu on trial basis during the polls and India has assured to provide the machines and other equipments for the purpose," Pokharel told on Tuesday.
  
"India has agreed to provide any help Nepal needs for holding the polls in a smooth manner," officials said.

Wrapping up his two-day visit to the Himalayan country, Menon yesterday said holding Constituent Assembly polls in Nepal on schedule and in a free and fair manner was of 'critical importance'

"India acknowledges the critical importance of the elections to the Constituent Assembly, as scheduled and in an environment free of fear and intimidation," Menon had said at a press conference.