Former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi has come down hard on the election commission (EC) on its sluggishness dealing with reports of alleged illegal transportation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) that have flooded the news and various social media platforms.
There has been uproar about the possibility of EVMs being ‘switched’ with pre-loaded machines at the strong-rooms, leading to confusion among the electorate. The reports mainly originate from states in northern India, especially Uttar Pradesh and Bihar where the BJP is expected to lose a number of seats.
Quraishi told NDTV, “It is very unfortunate that instead of the defaulting politicians who are violating the model code or spending too much of money… it is the EC which is in the dock… The EC is in the headline, that has never happened.”
Worries mount over 'unprotected' EVMs
Former Chief Election Commissioner @DrSYQuraishi on NDTV
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He added, “It is the EC’s first concern that these machines (EVMs) should be safe and if they are not, finding facts is their concern, making it public is their responsibility… and it should be made fast… Social media is able to spread fire in the country, EC does not have the luxury anymore to wait for the country to be on fire and then after three days to come up with something on the record. If something is happening it has to be nipped in the bud…”
Speaking to India Today Quraishi said, “The EC has to give a detailed explanation for each incident, because every EVM… is under protection, it is always guarded, so unguarded machines found anywhere is just not acceptable…. But there has to be an enquiry… and it has to be done super fast.”
Speaking on election commissioner Ashok Lavasa being overruled by his other colleagues, Quraishi said, “… minority view needs to be made public, I don’t think it’s a correct decision.”
#LokSabhaElections2019
Ex-CEC @DrSYQuraishi backs Opposition's demand for verification of VVPAT slips before counting. Listen in to what he said. #NewsToday LIVE at https://t.co/4fqxBVUizL pic.twitter.com/m2Fgjebsd8— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) May 21, 2019
Also Read: I Would Still Say Transparency is Important: Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa
CNBC-TV18 reported S Y Quraishi said that the videos and news of EVM smuggling could lead to disputed results.
He added, “Credibility of EC is central to system, must be maintained, remedial measures must be taken to restore credibility of ECI. Hope EC will hold a presser before counting day to allay any fears or concerns.”
Videos & news circulating w.r.t EVMs could lead to disputed results. Election Commission should have held a presser today & come clean: Former Chief Election Commissioner @DrSYQuraishi pic.twitter.com/kD04sf9BX2
— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) May 21, 2019