Chennai, July 23 - With major opposition parties ranged against electronic voting machines (EVM), the Election Commission has decided to buy new machines for the five Tamil Nadu by-elections slated for Aug 18.

Speaking to reporters here Thursday, Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta said: 'The new machines will have advanced features like reading time wise polling and the number of votes polled at a particular time.'

He said the new machines were needed as the existing machines were nearly 15 years old.

By-elections are scheduled in the five constituencies of Bargur, Thondamuthur, Cumbum, Illayangudi and Srivaikundam.