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EC rejects BJP charge about EVM malfunction

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Agencies

Posted: Jul 05, 2009 at 2126 hrs IST

New Delhi Rejecting BJP's charge of malfunctioning of the electronic voting machines (EVMs), the Election Commission tonight said it was satisfied about their foolproof working and it would consider measures to clear the apprehensions of political parties.

"The EC is amply satisfied about the non-tamperability and the foolproof working of the EVMs. The Commission's confidence in the efficacy of the EVMs has been fortified by the judgments of various courts and the views of technical experts," the Commission said in its press note reacting to reports about the technological vulnerability of EVMs.

The Commission would, however, consider all the points raised and apprehensions expressed recently by various political leaders and individuals regarding EVMs and take all necessary measures to clear doubts about use of EVMs in elections.

The EC's clarification came in the wake of BJP leader L K Advani demanding reintroduction of ballot papers in elections, beginning with the Maharashtra Assembly polls and three other states, observing that there was every possibility of malfunctioning of EVMs.

Noting that the Commission came across reports regarding technological vulnerability of the EVMs for possible manipulation, the EC referred to the Karnataka High Court hailing the EVMs as "a national pride".

Referring to former Delhi Chief Secretary Omesh Sehgal’s claim that "rigging of EVMs was very much possible", the Commission said said that Sehgal had handed over a letter when he met Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla on June 30.

However, no demonstration on the tamperability of the EVM has been given by Sehgal to the Commission or to its officials, nor has the Commission ordered any enquiry, as reported in a section of the Press, the EC clarified.

"The Commission receives complaints, petitions and letters from various quarters on electoral issues including the matters related to EVM. All these complaints are looked into for taking necessary action, if any is required," it said.

Observing that an analogy was drawn to electronic voting systems adopted in various foreign countries and their experience with electronic voting, the EC said the Commission has in the past, provided opportunities to the complainants to prove their points on the alleged vulnerability of EVM. So far, no one has been able to demonstrate to the Commission that EVM can be manipulated.

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Thank you for appreciation. by Twentysecond Century on 07 Jul 2009

I agree it is expensive, Some of you have backup plan to support this. Budget 2009 assigned 120 Crores for biometric ID and also donations to Electoral trusts to get 100% deduction in computation of tax of the donor, What more do we need? Let's donate for the good cause and remove these parasites who have been coming to power by rigging booths in the name of humanity, religion, and poverty. Well the world is gone beyond 22nd century and we still sit in 18th century, still have pebbled roads that Roman's built in their era centuries ago. Go to a village we see huts, lamps and pebbled roads. There is no need to fight over these useless political parties, these are time tested barbarians who dwell on blood of poor Indians. We must elect the best party that would lead us into next century. TECHNOLOGY IS THE ANSWER TO KILL THESE ILLITERATE PARASITES. WE MUST LOOK FOR FRESH HORIZON PARTY in the next five years. NO CONGRESS, NO BJP. TIME TO CHANGE AND REINVENT WHEEL.

EVMs can be tampered. by shanthanu on 06 Jul 2009

Why should Omesh Saigal who has written a letter to Election Commission be asked to demonstrate in public how it is possible to tamper with the EVMs. If he proves, it should be accepted. If not rejected. Instead EC is quoting court ruling which cannot be the basis for a technological solution. And so many people calling names for those who have expressed their apprehensions after the report is uncalled for.

Response to Twentysecond Century.. by Guruji on 06 Jul 2009

Twentysecond Century.. what brilliant idea dude! It is going to cost a fortune but I am sure it is worth it. The whole system that you have suggested can even be developed as a package and sold to other nations. There is not doubt such a a system will be appreciated by any democratic country in the world. I fully agree with your suggestions as much as I disagree with the words of Mr. Advani who wants, as in everything, to move one step backward and re-introduce the ballot paper mechanism (so that his pet thugs can have a good time subverting the democratic system in the name of Hinduism).

EVM - BJP by Neduncheziyan on 06 Jul 2009

If BJP and Comunists won this election, there is no problem for EVM but they failed, there is problem in the EVM. They are taking like school children. Even Weak no no strong Advaniji and Gunda no no saint Modiji own their seats EVM working very very good and loosing election, the same EVM working very very bad. Once the vicket fax say the grapes are not good because its too high.

Pakistan ki aulaad Bharat ko bhi banaega Swatwala Pakistan. by DR.STRIPPED CHOR on 06 Jul 2009

Sanghi and al-qaida like talibans are liars they are stripped searched when so ever they visit any foreign country no one has any kind of trust in them. Even the liar Advani and his coffin-in-law George Fernandes get stripped searched on their trips abroad. How could we the people of this country inject these sorts of petrol pump liars to represent us Hindus in our parliament, because they cannot even represent themselves.

22nd Century by Twentysecond Century on 06 Jul 2009

We live in 22nd Century, the EVM should incorporate Fingerprint scanning with ID, Retina scanning and upload to a common database online connected to a central server with Firewall and VPN (168 Bit encryption). The server side database will store the data, check for repetition and then give OK to the voter for casting his/her vote. With this system the vote will also be counted simultaneously. The result can be published online and also on same day. Also, the EVM can generate and issue the voter a magnetic/chip embedded plastic voted card this can be used as permanent ID for this Indian national country wide. Further, if there are "n" EVM online, you can monitor which EVM goes offline at any given point of time. In remote locations you can connect the EVM's through satellite or Wireless networks or on Broad band connections. It will be better to go for satellite links else they will rig the telephone polls.

Cost !!! by Saibaskar on 07 Jul 2009

Good suggestion but what about the cost? Government can afford that sort of money only if all Indian black money in Swiss bank is brought back and that will not happen for another 5 years thanks atleast partly for the EVM for ensuring that.

Cost !!! by Saibaskar on 07 Jul 2009

Good suggestion but what about the cost? Government can afford that sort of money only if all Indian black money in Swiss bank is brought back and that will not happen for another 5 years thanks atleast partly for the EVM for ensuring that.

Not acceptable by Called Indian on 06 Jul 2009

EC's explanation is not acceptable.It is their duty to find out the correct method of voting in which only BJP should be able tamper.Of course, they can try to put in a program in the EVM itself to meet their demand.

BJP Go to hell... by Guruji on 06 Jul 2009

For a month, the whole world watch with awe as the elections were conducted in India. Many of the leading newspapers in the world carried out how a supposedly backward nation like India is using latest technologies to conduct the largest democratic exercise on the planet. Indophobes around the world squirmed and jumped like eggs boiling in a bowl as the EVMs become one more example of an Indian ingenuity that did not fit into their stereotyped impression about India. Now some morons from BJP want to discredit all of that... All because they lost the elections and got the beatings that they deserved.. Why don't these morons just go to hell..

"Sanghis... who are being proud know this" by Abdul Sattar on 06 Jul 2009

Listen, I am clear in my mind that RSS is not my cup of tea. But if someone calls them anti-national, I feel he needs psychological help

Mysterious by Ram on 06 Jul 2009

All the TV channels have exactly predicted the poll outcome and the results are matching with their forecasts. TRUTH is the important weapon in the hands of GOD and anyone trying to tamper with truth will face the consequences. The manipulation of EVM is like a Football fully pumped with air (Hyping done by the TV channels) and the ball is pressed hard into a pond of water. The harder they try to suppress the TRUTH, the football filled with air will build it's counter force and untimately TRUTH will come to surface. You don't need to wait longer to know the EVM fraud and it will surface very soon.

I'm 100% convinced that elections were rigged by Chandra SG on 06 Jul 2009

Taking the instance of elections in AP.There was a cross voting from TDP to Congress... this is completely absurd..!! Also... TDP which was ahead of Congress in initial rounds.. jumped ahead in subsequent rounds...!!TDP and Congress were neck to neck in Assembly polls... but Congress literaly swept.. Parliament elections... this is completely absurd considering the situation on the ground!!

Attitude of the "Minorities" by AK Bhattacharya on 06 Jul 2009

I am shocked and stunned at the response of the few "minorities" in these comments. Have you already assumed that you are ruling this country, so much so that any mention of the word "BJP" makes you rave, rant and curse without even looking at what's inside? Have you assumed that all Hindus are dead, or inevitably hurtling towards their doom? Now I am getting the feeling that the one-or-two Hindu names who have used expletives are also "minorities" under masked names. Furthermore, although I would love to believe that the democratic system in India is faultless, this gang-up makes me feel sinister international forces are at play and the charges of tampering need to be neutrally investigated forthwith.

EVMs/EC by SudhirP on 06 Jul 2009

Many people are talking about EVMs and saying when congress lost elections then even they could've said this . Let me tell you that it was the BJP which first introduced EVMs in 2004 elections and they lost . BJP introduced this in the right earnest

EVM manipulation by M.S.Kamath on 06 Jul 2009

EVM manipulation may be possible. But, going back to ballot papers is foolishness, because large scale manipulation is possible there. It is also required to have tamper-proof electoral rolls. There was a large scale tampering of the rolls during the 2009 general elections in Karnataka. BJP should also address this issue. Why did it happen? Instead of casting a doubt on EVMs, BJP should come out with solid proof of manipulation. The EVMs used where different political parties have won, should be inspected on a random basis by technical personnel, to find out the truth. It is very unfortunate whenever BJP won in various state elections earlier, this sort of a doubt never crossed BJP stalwarts. BJP should not appear like a trouble maker.

BJP stop trying to fool people by Guruji on 06 Jul 2009

Post vajpayee bjp has fast degenerated into a ragtag bunch of hooligans who can resort to any mechanism in their power grabbing quest. Lies, decpetion, violence and all sorts of regregressive ideas seem to be the cornerstone of this party. I used to hate congress but the bjp in its current avatar make the congress looking like an angel. The evms that these people are crowing about are exported to many countries some of which are the so called developed nations. None of those countries have reported any problems. How come bjp found them to be faulty that to only in places where they lost. Why is it difficult for these pseudonationalists to understand that vast majority of indians do not subscribe to the flawed ideology.

EVM by SudhirP on 06 Jul 2009

Many people are talking about EVMs and saying when congress lost elections then even they could've said this . Let me tell you that it was the BJP which first introduced EVMs in 2004 elections and they lost . BJP introduced this in the right earnest

B.J.P should not expect by KUMAR on 06 Jul 2009

The B.J.P should not expect any favourable reply from the Election Commission. The present Election Commission is being headed by Mr Chawla who is on the payroll of Sonia Gandhi leader of the congress party what else can you expect from this man. Gone are the days when the Election Commission of India was headed by an efficient straight forward person Mr Seshan.

EVMs and function---- by romesh.sharma on 06 Jul 2009

EVMs or any other machine in any form can never be absolutely Fool-Proof.Its not the question of Mal-Functioning but question of Manipulations.These machines can be easily manipulated that too with remote-control.They were manipulated during 2004 and this with great caution and fool-proof technics.EC itself doesn't function and is a corrupt institution playing in the hands of greater bidder and from whom they expect better career.So is with Indian CBI and judiciary as well.Here in India its something like-JIS KI LAATHI USKI BHAINS.The arrogance with which they work and arrogate to themselves depicts their culpable attitude of covering invidious distinctions done.BJP and every other Party has the right to ask scrutinize and ask for explaination for wrong doings.To add once again its ridiculous that her are only three guys from minority and they must speak all against BJP/RSS while they don't have least knowledge about both.Such guys are the reason of mal-function of whole Govt system

EVM Malfunctioning by Dr A M Siddiqui on 06 Jul 2009

BJP leaders are hypocrats. Wherever congress lost, it is the same EVMs. You try to understand the real situation.

Heart broken by John on 06 Jul 2009

The BJP and its supporters are really heart broken. They simply can't get any clue about what Indians think. So they keep on loosing in elections. This is the problem with fanatics, they can't think out of the box. The BJP can't sustain in the political arena with their current agenda like Ram temple issue or cow slaughter. The people of Indian want development, employment, better education standards, peace, etc. Not massacres, riots, hatred, etc. The educated society of India can't even dream a second about a government like that of in Iran or the Taliban Afghanistan.

Sanghis..who are being proud, know this.. by Jem Hassan on 06 Jul 2009

Your RSS was founded by few zealous anti-nationals in 1925...exact 22yrs before our independence.But you never fought for this nation's freedom nor supported any freedom movement.The contribution to our freedom from you is zilch and beyond than you killed the man gave us freedom from British..and the cost was his life...all these years you denied Godse is not RSS but why you keep his çhitah basma'in your head quarters?..why you keep his picture in your head quarters if he was not admired?..why you RSS leaders never condemn what Godse done was wrong?...so stop your hypocrisy..double standards...we Indians got your skin...no need to hide anything...have the courage to admit the truth that you were always working against the nation's interest and you remain with only one interest..that's distruction of our nation!...and show us one example of your great contribution to this nation..since its foundation!..nothing!

EVM malfunction by natarajan on 06 Jul 2009

Why only blame BJP? If congress had lost the election they would have also blamed the EVMs.As seen over the years the politicians have the tenacity to take opposite view on any issue when they are in power are out of it.They seldom take a view on national interest whether it be water sharing or nuclear issue.Let us remember that EVMs are a good and dependable for a free and fair election.We have seen in the days of ballot how booths are captured and ballot papers are shoved in after stamping the same for a particular party.we have not heard such a thing happening after EVMs.and for doing such fraud on EVMs it may need help multiple agencies like manufacturer,election officials etc.and cannot be done in isolation.So my vore is for EVM.\

Dont Reject. and demand; but prove the allegation wrong. by KP Pillai on 06 Jul 2009

Before rejecting it prima facie (which is done to save the skin of Election Commission), the EC should respect the feeling expressed by the Leader of India's Opposition parties. EC has the responsibility to prove that the allegations are wrong. Rejecting it outrightly is a high handed culture, lacking democratic norms.

Hindus by Ram Nath Babu on 06 Jul 2009

This is in reference to Mr. Upadhyaya's letter. We Sanghis are better than you people on any given day. As much as you have right to believe in the policies and programmes of a particular party, others too hve the same right in a democracy. We all cannot think in the same wavelength as you think. Godse had his own reason for assassinating Mr. Gandhi. He was perhaps a Hindu fundamentalist, but has nothing to do with Sangh parivar. Better you read and learn more, before commenting on public forum, as half knowledgement is too dangerous.

Master of Double Standard by Anvar on 06 Jul 2009

BJP once again proved that they are Masters in Double Standard. They used SMS, Internet and all kind of latest Technologies for Election Propagation and now they revert back to Stoneage by suggesting Ballot Boxes. Election loss made them crazy to talk like this. if there are any malfunctining, we need to rectify it, instead of throwing outrightly. I ask BJP not to use Telephones, Mobiles, computers and all kind of latest technologies any where in their offices as well as houses, as there are lot of malfuctionings are possible on these electronics. BJP has become a rediculous party. After the election people are watching BJP cautiously. BJP will be a forgotten party, if they behave barbarically.

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