Political parties give 'reject EVMs' call
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 16 2012:
As a part of its campaign on 'Save Democracy Reject EVM', Manipur unit of All India Trade Union Congress today organised a public session at Manipur Press Club during which CPI leader and former legislator Dr M Nara revealed that the demand for scrapping use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be placed at the floor of the Indian Parliament.
A CPI candidate from Wangjing Tentha assembly constituency in the recently conducted State assembly election, Dr Nara contended that since the advent of EVMs, the main factor(s) for a contestant to win election in Manipur depends on the individual candidate's 'will and determination' instead of other qualities such as political background and political activities.
Opining that EVMs have reduced the democratic exercise to a farce, he cited various complaints of EVM malfunctioning in the past elections to justify his assertion that EVMs have become an affront to the political rights of the citizens.
Dr Nara also claimed that a handful of politicians getting the mandate for repeatedly wielding the power of governance is not in the true spirit of democratic principles.
Speaking at the session, MPP candidate in Khangabok AC namely L Jatra questioned on what basis some Congress leaders audaciously claimed that the ruling party will return to power.
Not ruling out manipulative element of the EVMs over the Congress party's prediction, he also cited numerous complaints against EVMs in the past as well as recent elections to demand abandonment of EVMs in future hustings.
Jatra also claimed of getting information about involvement of police commandos in the transportation of EVMs at some polling stations in Khangabok AC a few hours before voting began.
He also pointed out that on October 4, 2010 different political parties had apprised Election Commission of India for forbidding use of EVMs on the ground that the machines are susceptible to malfunctions for there had been cases of a single pressing of the button recording multiple votes.
Lamenting that the ECI is yet to a initiate an effective mechanism to weed out EVMs-related anomalies, Jatra opined continuing to relying on the EVMs for deciding the future of the nation is not only an embarrassment to the largest democracy in the world but also an affront to the fundamental rights of the citizens.
citing other instances, he referred to EVMs brought to the strongroom of the Deputy Commissioner, Thoubal late into the night to question if there is any guarantee that the EVMs could not have been manipulated by Government agents.
The session also resulted in the adoption of various resolutions including district-wise campaigns against use of EVMs in future elections, taking legal assistance to bar the practice and urge the ECI for relevant remedial measures failing which political parties would boycott elections.
State unit NCP president Radhabinod Koijam, MPP president Dr Nimaichand Luwang, MPP candidate and former MP Th Chaoba and NCP legislator L Ibomcha also attended the session.
Comment
