EC should take action before people lose faith in EVMs: Congress

Hyderabad (Telangana), Apr 2 (ANI): The Congress on Sunday urged the Election Commission to discuss the matter of EVM tampering with all the political parties and take necessary step in the regard, before people lose their faith in the device altogether. Speaking to ANI here, Congress leader Hanumantha Rao said if Election Commission did not take adequate steps soon then people will soon stop believing in the voting machine. "Initially Mayawati questioned the EVMs and then Kejriwal. The leaders are alleging of EVM tampering because they did not get votes even in their bastions. The Election Commission after mulling over the issue with all parties should take necessary steps in the regard, otherwise people will stop trusting EVMs," he added. Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav yesterday demanded an inquiry after EVMs in Madhya Pradesh were only dispensing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slips. "There should be inquiry after Electronic Voting Machines in Madhya Pradesh were only dispensing BJP slips," Akhilesh tweeted. He further said that the matter is not about checking of the EVMs but of people's faith and confidence in the electoral process. Earlier the Samjawadi Party supremo had backed Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati's claim that the EVMs during the Uttar Pradesh electoral process were tampered and also called for the probe. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has decided to send a team of senior officials prior to the upcoming by-election in Madhya Pradesh. A panel of three IAS and IPS officers, each being deputed as District Election Officer-cum-collector and Superintendent of Police of Bhind for supervising the polls. This decision came following media reports that VVPAT deployed for an assembly by-poll was only dispensing slips of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) symbol during a demonstration exercise. By-polls in Ater Assembly constituency in Bhind district and at Bandhavgarh Assembly segment in Umaria district will take place on April 9. (ANI)