Russia likely to use EVMs for 2018 presidential polls

Impressed with the EVMs functions in India, Russia is keen to use the Indian technolgy method for its 2018 presidential elections

New Delhi: As the opposition parties in India raked up controversy on EVMs tampering after the five states elections on March 11, Russia is keen on adopting EVMs technology method for the 2018 presidential elections in the country. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also set for a re-election next year.

According to reports, Russia has sent Nikolai Levichev, the deputy chairman of election commission visited Uttarakhand during the assembly polls to check the operations of the electronic voting machines and is believed to had the first-hand experience of voting in EVMs. He is also said to have held meetings with Delhi officials and gathered information on EVM technology and its best practices in the sub-continent.

Nikolai was impressed by the EVM voting process after closely monitoring them at the time of counting. Now Russia with approximate 143.5 million population wants smooth functioning of polls next year using the Indian-made EVM technology, an anonymous source said.

Earlier in 2014, the Indian Election Commission supplied additional ballot papers to its Kabul counterpart when the latter felt short of ballot papers due to the unexpected increase in voters during the presidential voting.

On the other hand, while other countries are impressed with EVMs in India, the opposition has alleged tampering, just after the conclusion of five-state assembly polls on March 11.

BSP chief Mayawati blamed the BJP and the EVMs for her defeat and demanded re-elections in the state. After Mayawati, the Congress in Uttarakhand too raked up the issue on EVMs tampering and demanded a probe into it.

Following the controversy in Uttarakhand, the AAP which was defeated both in Punjab and Goa accused the EC on EVMs used in the polls. AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also wrote to the EC to allow use ballot papers for the upcoming Municipal Corporation of Delhi polls on April 23.

Later, he also sought to postpone the Delhi civic polls in case the EC has to prepare the ballot papers. However, AAP was criticised by the EC on doubting the EVMs and clarified that it will indeed use EVMs for Delhi civic polls.

OneIndia News