Your vote safe, come out in large numbers to exercise franchise: CEC Rajiv Kumar
New Delhi (PTI): Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Friday dismissed apprehensions about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and assured people that their vote was safe and secure.
Kumar asserted that the EVMs were 100 per cent safe as a large number of safeguards – technological, administrative and process-oriented – were in place.
"It is a settled issue. It is 100 per cent safe. It has been raised in the honourable Court also. We are awaiting judgment, nothing can happen to the machines. Every stage political parties and their candidates are involved. Mock polls are done," he said to questions on doubts raised on the EVMs.
"There are a large number of safeguards, technological, administrative, and process-oriented. Just enjoy the voting. This is a time to enjoy the voting, not doubt anything," the CEC said.
"Enjoy your voting, your vote is safe, secure and will be recorded as you vote," Kumar said.
The first phase of the Lok Sabha elections got underway across 102 constituencies in 21 states and union territories on Friday.
"We are getting reports from the field that even if rains are happening, people are really coming out in large numbers. Women, youth, old age people… everyone is rushing towards the polling stations. It is really a delightful situation to see that people are dancing to the tune of democracy," Kumar said.
He said the Election Commission has used technology to a great extent to ensure better voter turnout by reaching out to the youth and women voters by mapping parliamentary constituencies where voting has been traditionally less.
"A turn out plan was made depending on the local context. Lots of celebrities were roped in, a number of organisations have worked with us – petrol pumps, banks, post offices in the outreach program," Kumar said.
"We are very hopeful that people will come out to vote. It is our appeal, please join in this festival of democracy.. youth, women, transgender, PwD, all geographies...It is your right, your duty, your responsibility, your pride," the CEC said.
Kumar, along with fellow Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and S S Sandhu, was monitoring the progress of the election process from the control room set up at the Election Commission headquarters here.
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Nadda calls those who want equality Naxalites, should resign: Rahul Gandhi
Shivamogga (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday demanded the resignation of BJP national president J P Nadda alleging he had made a statement that whoever seeks equality is a Naxalite.
“The BJP leaders have once again attacked the Constitution. Nadda is saying that if Dalits, backward castes and tribals seek equality, then they are Naxalites. There cannot be any attack on the Constitution bigger than this,” he alleged.
Addressing an election rally here, he said the BJP president should resign immediately and the Prime Minister should apologise to the Dalits, tribals and OBCs for the "attack on the Constitution.”
Gandhi said the Prime Minister has said his party will protect the Constitution.
“If the BJP wanted to protect the Constitution, why is its president attacking equality? Why does he call those asking for equality as Naxalites? The PM should answer it,” he said.
Gandhi alleged that the 2024 Lok Sabha election was the first where the BJP leaders have clearly said that they will "change and abolish" the Constitution of India.
Claiming that Congress has been fighting and protecting the Constitution, the Congress leader said it was clearly written in the Constitution that there should be equality in the society and reservation.
“The BJP wants to uproot reservation from the Constitution,” he charged.
