Opposition set to meet President Mukherjee over EVM tampering row

Politicians from various parties have openly alleged tampering of electronic voting machines in the recently concluded assembly elections in five states.

The opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party and Left parties, are set to meet President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday over the allegations of electronic voting machine (EVM) tampering.

The leaders of the major political parties had earlier met the Election Commission regarding this issue. The opposition leaders are demanding that VVPAT (paper trail of voting) be introduced in all future elections. The Congress has also been pushing for use of ballot papers instead of EVMs in upcoming elections in view of the alleged tampering.

Politicians from various parties have openly alleged tampering of electronic voting machines in the recently concluded assembly elections in five states with Mayawati and Arvind Kejriwal being at the forefront of such accusations.

Kejriwal and Congress have in fact demanded that ballot papers be used fro the upcoming Delhi civic polls. The Congress has also been pushing for use of ballot papers instead of EVMs in coming elections in view of allegations.

[SC to hear EVM tampering matter on March 24]

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has maintained that that EVMs cannot be tampered with.

ECI had said, "Given the effective technical and administrative safeguards, Electronic Voting Machines are tamperproof and the integrity of the electoral process is preserved...If any specific allegation with material facts is presented, it (the allegations) will be looked into with all seriousness on administrative sides."

OneIndia News