Most parties have reposed faith in EVMs, says CEC Sunil Arora
Amaravati, Feb 12: Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said Tuesday "most parties" have reposed their faith in Electronic Voting Machines, but expressed regret that some sections made it part of a "motivated slugfest".
He noted that there was a difference between tampering and malfunctioning (of EVMs) and asserted that "not a single case of tampering had been established so far".
The CEC, however, remained non-committal on the demand raised by various parties for counting of VVPAT slips though he said a vigorous exercise would be launched to create awareness on the VVPATs.
"Most parties reposed their faith in voting through the EVM, though some asked for counting of more VVPAT slips. Some wanted more hands-on demonstrations of the machines to familiarise voters on how to use these machines for voting to instill more confidence," the CEC said.
The former IAS officer observed that EVMs delivered a particular result in 2014.
"Subsequently, elections were held in Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Mizoram. There have been different results ever since. But why are EVMs made part of a motivated slugfest?" the CEC wondered.
Arora said the group of experts from Indian Statistical Organisation and National Sample Survey Organisation would submit its report soon on the possibility of counting VVPATs.
The CEC, who along with Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa and other top officials of the ECI, reviewed the preparedness for the ensuing elections in Andhra Pradesh, briefed media about their two-day deliberations with the state officials and various political parties.
Arora called the purported "hacking" of EVMs recently the 'circus in London' and said the British Union of Journalists and the Indian Union of Journalists, that were supposed to have organised the event, had dissociated themselves with it.
"An FIR has already been filed against the person who claimed to be a former employee of ECIL but, in fact, was not. So far not even one case of EVM tampering could be proved even in courts," the CEC pointed out.
A committee of top experts, including directors of various IITs, was overseeing the functioning of EVMs.
Observing that the coming elections to the Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh Assembly were "doubly challenging and a formidable task", the CEC asserted that the ECI was committed to conduct free, fair, peaceful, transparent, ethical and inclusive elections.
"The Commission attaches prime importance to ensuring a conducive environment for peaceful elections in the state. We will have zero tolerance for any instances of gross impropriety and negligence (on part of officials)," he added.
"In case of 'proven malafide', the ECI would not hesitate to go further and launch criminal action against the errant personnel," Arora warned.
Referring to many complaints from various political parties on the electoral rolls in the state, he said a team of senior officials from the Commission would visit AP in the next few days to conduct a random audit of electoral rolls.
"The state Chief Electoral Officer will look into all complaints and take necessary action," he said.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
