‘Not Even One Case Of EVM Tampering Has Been Proved’: CEC Says Most Parties Have Reposed Faith In EVMs

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora on Tuesday (12 February) said that most parties have reposed their faith in the electronic voting machines (EVMs) but expressed regret over some sections making it part of a motivated slugfest, claimed reports.

He also said that an exercise will be launched to raise awareness of voter-verifiable paper trail (VVPAT) slips.

“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 instil more confidence,” Arora was quoted in the report as saying.

The CEC, noting that EVMs are now being used for a long time in Indian elections, said that there should be no scope for controversy on the use of the machines.

“Subsequently (after 2014), elections were held in Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Mizoram. There have been different results ever since. But why are EVMs made part of a motivated slugfest?” Arora said.

The CEC also commented on the purported “hacking” of EVMs and said that the organisation supposed to have organised the event in London, had disassociated themselves with it.

“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,” Mr Arora said.