EC defends integrity of EVMs in SC, asserts it can’t be manipulated
The Election Commission of India (ECI) defended the integrity of the electronic voting system, asserting that it was not prone to any external interference or manipulations.
The Election Commission of India on Monday held a round-table conference with former Chief Election Commissioners and Election Commissioners to discuss unnecessary criticism of EVM/VVPAT and hate speeches during the recent election campaign.
The round-table conference hosted by Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat and Election Commissioners Sunil Arora and Ashok Lavasa, was attended by former CEC/ECs M S Gill, J M Lyngdoh, T S Krishna Murty, B B Tandon, S Y Quraishi, V S Sampath, H R Bramha, Nasim Zaidi and GVG Krishna Murty.
The meeting was primarily called to discuss universal use of EVM and VVPAT during polling, and further strengthening of awareness programme to educate all voters about the benefits of EVM and VVPAT so as to avoid any controversy about its use.
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Present and former CECs, ECs expressed their concern over hate speeches during electioneering. “It was noticed that hate speeches are being used during campaigns which vitiate the political atmosphere,” said a senior official of the Commission. The top brass of Election Commission also stressed on the urgent need to control such speeches in larger public interest.
The Election Commissioners also deliberated on how to reduce the number of phases of elections. “The lesser number of phases would reduce the period of Model Code of Conduct, which has its implications in multiple phases of elections,” the official said.
The ECs also discussed various other aspects of electoral management including simplifying voter registration process after taking cues from model of voter registration in other successful democracies.
“It was noted during the meeting that universal use of EVM and VVPAT was a commendable initiative. It was opined that awareness programme should be extended to educate all voters about its benefits to avoid any controversy about its use,” the officialr said.
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