In Tripura during a demonstration, EVM displays all votes cast in favour of BJP. So is the VVPAT. Ruling CPI-M on Tuesday raised serious concern about the matter. The alleged serious malfunctioning of EVM and VVPAT took place on February 3 during a demonstration in Ampinagar assembly constituency.
The EVM displayed all votes cast to any party in favour of BJP. This has created suspicion as earlier BJP state president Biplab Kumar Deb during a public rally had said even if Chief Minister Manik Sarkar cast his vote it will go in BJP’s favour.
Addressing a press conference at the CPI-M headquarters at Melarmath area Tuesday evening CPI-M state secretary Bijan Dhar said, “In booth number 47 at West Malbasa SB school, most probably on February 3 last during a demonstration of EVM and VVPAT mock poll it was found even though different buttons were pressed the vote went in favour of the BJP. The VVPAT was also checked and there also it only showed mock vote in favour of BJP. Immediately, people took up the issue with the authorities and the demonstration was closed down and the machines were removed.”
He added, “There may be some malfunctioning of the machines but various incidents that took place in many other states have compelled us to think otherwise. Such incident should not be taken casually and especially when the state BJP president has openly said if the Chief Minister also cast his vote it will go in favour of BJP. We had complained against this.”
The CPI-M party leaders met and appraised the issue to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sriram Taranikanti who assured the delegation that all faulty EVMs and VVPATs would be thoroughly checked and replaced before commissioning.
Later the CEO also admitted malfunctioning of the EVM and VVPAT and said it was due to some improper cable connections and not because of anything related to hacking as without any net connectivity electronic machines cannot be hacked.
The CEO assured no faulty machines will be used in the elections and there are no spaces for apprehension and moreover the ECI will take all steps to conduct free and fair elections with transparent mechanism.