Results for: EVMs

The final phase of polling in West Bengal began with reports of violence in the South 24 Parganas district. A local mob looted a polling premises and threw reserve Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), ballot papers, and two VVPAT machines into a pond. The incident occurred at 6.40 a.m. today near the Benimadhavpur FP school in the Kultali assembly constituency. The Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal confirmed the incident and stated that an FIR has been lodged and necessary action has been initiated. The poll process in all six booths under the affected sector is continuing uninterrupted with fresh EVMs and papers provided. BJP leader Amit Malviya criticized the incident, alleging that democracy is under threat in West Bengal.

Polling commenced smoothly across 1,847 booths in seven assembly constituencies of Vizianagaram district on May 13, 2024. A total of 15, 62,921 eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots by 6 pm, with arrangements made to accommodate those still in line at the closing time. Over 13,661 polling officials will oversee the elections, assisted by BEL engineers in case of any technical difficulties with EVMs. The district administration has implemented various measures to increase voter turnout, including awareness campaigns, provision of facilities for differently-abled persons, and the establishment of 11 model polling stations. Security arrangements are in place, with 2,272 web cameras monitoring sensitive locations and micro observers providing regular updates to higher officials. After the polls, EVMs will be securely stored at Lendi Engineering College and JNTU-GV University until the counting day on June 4.

Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political approach, accusing him of exploiting the ‘Hindu-Muslim dispute’ to his advantage. Singh also expressed doubts about the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in recent elections, despite a Supreme Court ruling upholding their security. The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister, who is contesting from Rajgarh Lok Sabha seat, questioned the BJP’s election strategy, alleging that it is based on caste and religion rather than real issues.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has raised concerns over the sudden increase in the voter turnout figures for the first two phases of Lok Sabha elections. She has also expressed apprehensions about the credibility of EVMs. CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and Congress General Secretary of Communication Jairam Ramesh have also raised similar concerns.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has criticized the Congress party for their persistent allegations against Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) after their electoral defeats. He stated that the Supreme Court’s recent ruling upholding the use of EVMs has rendered the Congress’s complaints invalid. Modi also expressed concern over the Congress-led INDI Alliance’s reported plan to rotate the Prime Ministerial position among five parties, questioning the stability and future of the country under such an arrangement.

On April 26, the Supreme Court declined to revive paper ballots and upheld the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs). The Court emphasized the need for caution when questioning the integrity of the electoral process but rejected a request for mandatory cross-verification of all EVM votes with paper slips. The Election Commission of India was directed to implement measures to enhance the security of the EVM system.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has welcomed the Supreme Court’s order rejecting pleas to replace Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The court also dismissed requests for complete cross-verification of votes cast using EVMs with VVPAT, stating that ‘blindly distrusting’ the system is unwarranted. Meghwal accused opposition parties of ‘defaming’ the Election Commission of India (ECI) by raising questions about EVM credibility. He emphasized that EVMs have been successfully used in numerous elections without any evidence of tampering.

The Election Commission has strongly defended the credibility of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the Supreme Court, contributing to a decision in favor of the current electoral process. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar expressed confidence in the EVMs’ security, citing their validation by constitutional courts 40 times. He also presented a book with frequently answered questions and flowcharts on EVMs and highlighted the fact that political parties have emerged due to their transparency. The Supreme Court, in separate concurring judgments, rejected petitions seeking 100% cross-verification of votes cast on EVMs through Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines. The court emphasized the need for a balanced perspective and meaningful criticism, while recognizing the importance of harmony and trust among democratic institutions.

Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) have declined to disclose the names and contact details of manufacturers and suppliers of various components used in electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter-verifiable paper audit trails (VVPATs). This response was made to Right to Information (RTI) applications filed by activist Venkatesh Nayak, who sought details on the entities involved in assembling and supplying these electoral devices.

The Supreme Court has sought answers from the Election Commission of India (ECI) on the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during a hearing on petitions demanding complete cross-verification of votes cast using EVMs with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). The court queried the ECI on whether the microcontrollers installed in EVMs can be reprogrammed and sought clarification on other aspects of EVM operation. Despite the absence of plans to revert to ballot paper, the court indicated its willingness to consider directions for strengthening the EVM system. The court’s move follows concerns raised over the accuracy and reliability of EVMs. Currently, VVPAT slips of a limited number of EVMs are verified, but petitioners are seeking more extensive verification to ensure voter confidence in the electoral process.