BJD demands ECI conduct independent "process audit" of entire election process

New Delhi [India], March 11 (ANI): A Biju Janata Dal delegation on Tuesday went to the Election Commission and demanded that the Commission conduct a periodic "process audit" of the entire election process by independent auditors or the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
In its letter to the electoral body, the BJD also demanded to make such report public as is being done in several countries where democratic elections are held.
"We had mentioned in our earlier Memorandum that discrepancies indicated therein were unusual and showed that there was either machine (EVM) error or manual error (during data entry) or process error or a combination of all these. Since doubts have been raised in the minds of voters about conduct of free and fair elections on account of such discrepancies, which further get strengthened due to non-furnishing of Forms 17C Part I & II despite repeated written requests since last seven months, the BJD would like to suggest/demand the following in the interest of free and fair elections in the country," the party said.
"The Election Commission should conduct a periodic 'process audit' of the entire election process by independent auditors or the CAG and make such report public as is being done in several countries where democratic elections are held," the BJD said.
It also demanded that a mechanism be developed for involving citizen groups in co-monitoring the election process from inception to the end.
"Put in a mechanism for conducting concurrent audit during polling at booth level as well as during counting after satisfactory completion of which the results should be declared. Concurrent audit can be done almost real-time so that there is no undue delay in the declaration of results," the party demanded.
"Tallying of all VVPAT slips with the EVM count in every booth using now available advanced counting machines," it added further.
The Biju Janata Dal Delegation also demanded that there should be a 30-day time-limit for District Election Officer to furnish copies of Forms 17C Part 1 & 2, as well as all VVPATS to any citizen on payment of prescribed fees.
Speaking to the media after meeting the Election Commission, BJD leader Amar Patnaik said that even if the Election Commission of India could be saying that they are doing everything properly, the perception all around is very different.
"And since this perception is so different, these suggestions have been made with a view to improve this electoral process. I do not think the Election Commission of India should have any hesitation in getting an independent audit done. We do not even know whether they have an internal audit system which puts the results in the public domain," Patnaik said.
"The point that our party is making is that the election is not only for political parties. What about independent candidates? What about independent candidates who cannot send agents to every vote? It is for every citizen who has voted. He has a right to believe, perceive that the election process in India is fair, transparent and that his vote has gone to the person for whom he wanted to vote or he has voted," the BJD leader said. (ANI)