Amaravati: “Most parties reposed their faith in voting through the EVM, though some asked for counting of more VVPAT slips. Some wanted more hands-on demonstrations of the machines to familiarise voters on how to use these machines for voting to instill more confidence,” said Sunil Arora, Chief Election Commissioner on Tuesday.
He said not a single case of tampering had been established so far and that a vigorous exercise would be launched to create awareness on the VVPATs.
Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said Tuesday “most parties” have reposed their faith in Electronic Voting Machines, but expressed regret that some sections made it part of a “motivated slugfest”.
The CEC said a team from Indian Statistical Organisation and National Sample Survey Organisation would submit a report on the possibility of counting VVPATs.
“Why are EVMs made part of a motivated slugfest?” he asked. Speaking about the hacking of EVMs, he said, “An FIR has already been filed against the person who claimed to be a former employee of ECIL but, in fact, was not. So far not even one case of EVM tampering could be proved even in courts.”
The CEC and other top officials of the ECI reviewed the preparedness for the ensuing elections in Andhra Pradesh.
Briefing the media about their two-day deliberations with the state officials and various political parties, he said the coming elections to the Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh Assembly were challenging. He, however, asserted that they would conduct a free, fair, peaceful, transparent, ethical and inclusive elections. And in case of any proven malafide, criminal action would be carried out, he assured.
He further said a team of senior officials from the Commission would visit AP in the next few days to conduct a random audit of electoral rolls.
Polling booths will not be segregated from vulnerable communities, but adequate security would be provided at needy places he said.
“The Principal Director General (Investigations) of the Income Tax Department has come up with ways to track money. Those steps will be taken and they will fructify in the days to come,” Arora added.
Talking about the new Suvidha App, he said it would help resolve complaints. The App streamlines candidate nomination, permissions, counting and results display. C-Vigil mobile application would also be used in Andhra Pradesh, said Arora.