EVM tampering row: AAP, Congress launch joint attack

Delhi CM and chief of Aam Aadmi Party Arvind Kejriwal said that the election commission's claims of the tampering being impossible are wrong and that he was 'shocked' to see EVM malfunction.

New Delhi, April1: The Congress, as well as the Aam Aadmi Party, knocked on the doors of the election commission on Saturday making fresh allegations of EVM tampering. Both parties filed complaints with the election commission following reports of EVM malfunction in Madhya Pradesh where VVPAT machines allegedly dispensed slips of only BJP symbol during a demonstration exercise.

Delhi Chief Miniter and chief of Aam Aadmi Party Arvind Kejriwal said that the election commission's claims of the tampering being impossible are wrong and that he was 'shocked' to see EVM malfunction.

"EVMs are being tampered with. Congress symbol's button was pressed but the slip which comes out is in BJP's name. Largescale tampering is taking place," he alleged. The Congres on its part also levelled allegations against the BJP for tampering with the EVMs and demanded that ballot paper be reintroduced.

"We do not trust the EVMs anymore. We want ballot paper voting back. First world countries are voting on ballot papers," said Digvijaya Singh after filing the complaint with the election commission. Congress' Jyotiraditya Scindia claimed that when suspicion was being cast of EVMs, action should also be taken against officials who may have been involved in EVM tampering.

Election commission officials stated that both complaints would be taken seriously and necessary action would be initiated. The Election Commission has sought a detailed report from the district poll authorities in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh on media reports that VVPAT was only dispensing slips of BJP symbol during a demonstration exercise. An Assembly bypoll is due in Bhind next week and the demonstration was part of the familiarisation exercise.

OneIndia News