O Joy doubts integrity of EVM engineers
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 09 2022:
Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) engineers involved in counting of votes for the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election, 2022 on Thursday should be closely monitored, observed Indian National Congress candidate from Langthabal assembly constitution O Joy.
Addressing a press meet on Wednesday, O Joy claimed that rumours are doing the round that EVMs could be manipulated.
Even if it is just rumour, it has raised suspicion amongst the people after it was announced that counting for five ACs of Imphal West district will be held at DM College of Teacher Education as part of state government's policy of containing Covid-19 pandemic.
Considering this, he has spoken and written to chief electoral officer, district election officer concerned and returning officer concerned to ensure that counting of votes is properly conducted and nobody is allowed to manipulate the EVMs.
O Joy also emphasised that engineers of Electronic Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), which manufactures the EVM should not be given unmonitored access to the EVMs during the counting period.
Authority concerned should only allow them near the EVMs if necessary only after they change clothes upon entering and undergo full body check.
Experts have said that chances are there that the vote count in EVM can be easily manipulated using a Bluetooth like wireless device.
Also, counting of votes in EVMs that malfunctioned on polling day should be corroborated with Voter verifiable paper audit trail (WPAT) machine.
Four polling stations of Langthabal AC also had EVM malfunction on polling day, he pointed out.
O Joy continued that there have been reports that BJP government has given money to UGs during the election along with using them by assuring to fulfil the demands of Nagas and Kukis.
In such a situation, there is a big question mark on the fairness of the recently held state election, he added.