50% matching of EVM results with VVPATs may not be possible in coming LS polls: Ex-CEC
Hyderabad, Feb 5: The Election Commission (EC) may not to be in a position to meet the demand of opposition parties that 50 per cent of EVM results should be cross-checked with VVPATs before declaring final Lok Sabha election results, indicated a former CEC Tuesday.
Leaders of 23 political parties had met the EC on Monday and demanded matching of results of 50 per cent EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) with VVPATs (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails) before it declared the results.
When asked for his response, the former Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy opined that the EVMs are credible even without VVPATs.
"I think the EC has already indicated that they will increase the VVPATs verification gradually depending upon the machines that they get", he said. "Overnight, they may not be able to do it (50 per cent VVPATs verification)".
"As and when new machines come, they can incorporate this (VVPATs) also. So, I won't say it (the demand for 50 per cent cross-checking) is unnecessary or undesirable but give EC sometime to gradually change; may not be 50 per cent initially; may be 25 per cent or in sensitive booths they can probably have VVPATs," Krishnamurthy said.
He said over a period of time, EC would be able to meet this demand of opposition parties.
"You can't say I want (50 per cent cross-checking) immediately. Gradually allow EC to implement. In principle, they have agreed they will do it, there is no problem. There is additional expenditure and time to manufacture (VVPATs).
They should allow some freedom to the EC", Krishnamurthy said.
He also said the debate on the efficacy of EVMs would not die down, as their critics would look for some other reason to criticise these machines.
"VVPAT is not the answer. Answer is faith in the system", Krishnamurthy said, adding, "so many safeguards are there in the machine, they are transported, they are not kept in one state tremendous security provisions".
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Nursing college student from Kerala dies by suicide at hostel, parents allege foul play
Bengaluru (PTI): A 19-year-old student from Kerala, who was studying at a private nursing college here, allegedly died by suicide in his hostel room, police said on Friday.
The deceased was identified as Adhityan P A, a second-year student at a nursing college in Bommasandra, they said.
On April 29, he was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his hostel room, police said, adding that he left behind a suicide note stating that no one was responsible for his death.
Preliminary investigation suggested that he may have been suffering from depression, and there may have been other issues which are being probed, a senior police officer said.
According to police, in his complaint, the deceased's father, Pradeep S, claimed that a college representative informed him upon his arrival in Bengaluru that his son had died under suspicious circumstances and that it was a case of suicide in the college hostel.
"However, I firmly believe that my son would not have taken such a step. He was of good character and mentally strong. Therefore, I strongly suspect foul play in his death," he claimed.
He also highlighted an incident that occurred approximately 20 days ago, when his son informed him that some of his hostel roommates were involved in drug use and were caught by hostel authorities.
"They were warned along with my son, although he was innocent and not involved in the incident. This situation may be relevant to the present case," he stated.
The complainant has urged the police to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter and take appropriate legal action.
A case of unnatural death has been registered at Hebbagudi Police Station here. Further investigation is underway, and all allegations are being examined, police said.
