The NPCC delegation accompanied by AICC In-charge of Nagaland Dr Ajoy Kumar with Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on April 6.
Dimapur, April 6 (MExN): A Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) delegation has raised the issue of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Rahul Gandhi, advocating the removal of the EVM system of election and replacing it with the Ballot Paper system.
Stating that EVMs have ‘derailed democratic election,’ NPCC President K Therie stated in a press release that “Crowds do not betray results in the past, but, in recent times, crowds no longer matter. Issues also do not matter. It is only money and EVMs that win.”
According to the release, the delegation appraised Gandhi that the two state run EVM manufacturing companies are ‘under the thumb of BJP.’
“The nation is also aware that almost 19 Lakh EVMS are missing. EVMs are not businesses or food. However, these missing EVMs are found in BJP leaders’ houses, cars, trucks, etc. The purpose is to change EVM control units and to tamper with the EVMs,” it alleged.
The NPCC also stated that the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) argument that EVMs are tamper proof and cannot be overwritten “is also a betrayal,” as mock demonstrations prove that EVMs can be removed or reused.
It said that EVM engineers are appointed by the EVM companies for all Returning Officers’ Offices and the engineers “come three times before counting”— 45 days before elections, to set the EVMs; during filing of nominations to set Candidates’ names and symbols wherein EVM numbers are also declared for all Polling Stations; and 10 days before counting till the counting day when they release EVMs from strong rooms with Magistrates.
In this regard, the NPCC stated that these engineers are company engineers who know all the codes as they own the software. “Some claim these EVM engineers are also BJP Bhakts. As such, EVM manipulation is possible,” it claimed.
Further stating that the NPCC has moved for removal of the EVM system of election and for use of the Ballot Paper system, the release stated that the party has also suggested ‘One Day Polling’ with Counting on the same day, while adding that appointing of EVM engineers should be stopped and training of officers should be taken up instead.
“Rahul Gandhi assured to take up the issue with the appropriate authorities,” the release stated while adding that the NPCC would not give up till the trust in democratic elections is restored.
