The Election Commission held a meeting
with all recognised National and State Political parties today at Constitution
Club, New Delhi to discuss the following issues:
(i)
EVMs
and VVPATs.
(ii)
Making
Bribery in Elections a Cognizable Offence.
(iii)
Disqualification
on Framing of Charges for the Offence of Bribery in Elections
(iv)
Suggestions
on VVPAT Recount Rules.
07
National Parties and 35 State Parties attended the meeting.
In his inaugural address, Chief Election
Commissioner Dr. Nasim Zaidi, underlined the contribution of all political
parties and stated that systemic improvements and progressive measures aimed at
improving the electoral processes and systems have been evolved by the
Commission in cooperation with all political parties.
CEC referred the queries raised by some
political parties about the incidents of alleged EVM manipulation at Bhind and
Dholpur during the recently concluded Bye-elections, and reiterated that
baseless perceptions were generated about these incidents and there was no case
of biased vote results.
Commission highlighted the wide range of
technical, administrative protocol and procedural safeguards that fortify the
EVMs and VVPATs against any sort of manipulation or tampering. He said that
Commission is open to hear suggestions on how to further improve integrity and
credibility of EVMs.
CEC also informed the political
representatives that the Commission will hold a challenge and
offer opportunity to political parties to demonstrate that EVMs used in the
recently concluded Assemblies elections were tampered OR that EVMs can be
tampered even under the laid down technical & Administrative Safeguards.
CEC stated that the Commission will
ensure 100% coverage of VVPATs in all future election to the Parliament and
State Assembly Elections. That VVPATs slips of a percentage of EVMs to be
determined by ECI will be counted. ECI will soon evolve a framework in this
regard. To make the election process more transparent, the Commission has made
proposal for electoral reforms on misuse of money power and bribery during
elections. The Commission has also made proposal for amendments in the Income
Tax Act and in the RP Act, 1951, for enhancing transparency in the funding of
political parties.
Dr. Nasim Zaidi urged the political
parties to ensure their continuous and qualitative participation at all crucial
preparatory steps for elections like FLC, Randomization of EVM/VVPAT/Polling
personnel, EVM Preparation/candidate setting, Mock Poll, EVM Sealing etc. CEC
also stressed that continuous involvement is the shared responsibility of all
the stakeholders including the political parties.
CEC conveyed neutral stand and
equidistance of ECI from all political parties as it has no favourite which has
enhanced India’s reputation in the eyes of Global Community.
A detailed presentation on EVM was presented by Shri.
Sudeep Jain, Director General of ECI explaining therein its secured design
feature, development process, stakeholders’ participation at various levels,
and administrative processes making the EVMs secure.
Representatives of the political parties presented
their views & suggestions on each of the agenda items.
Commission assured the political parties that their
concerns & apprehensions regarding EVMs have been taken note of and would
be duly considered & addressed through forthcoming challenge and further
necessary actions. In respect of other Electoral Reforms, their
views/suggestions would be examined and further action would be initiated
appropriately.
RM/
