Opposition rakes up EVM issue in Rajya Sabha

Speaking in one voice, almost the entire Opposition in the Rajya Sabha raised doubts over the reliability of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and sought the use of voter verification paper audit trail (VVPAT), or ballot paper, in all future elections.

Discussing electoral reforms, opposition members also expressed grave concerns over expenses incurred by the ruling party in the recently-concluded Assembly elections in five states, pointing to the hiring of aircraft, helicopters and large-scale usage of road vehicles.

With most members not wanting to limit the debate, RS deputy chairman P J Kurien agreed to extra time, which saw participation by members of almost every party.

Launching a frontal attack on the government, leader of opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad accused the Modi government of not releasing funds required for installing VVPATs along with the EVMs.

"Election Commission has sent 11 letters to government and one SOS message to the Prime Minister about the use of these paper trail machines. Since the Government has not responded to the EC's communique, the people are doubting the intention of the government," he said.

Azad also claimed there were concerns over the EVM system, especially given that developed countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Japan, and Italy have rejected it.

When some BJP members intervened and asked whether elections could be conducted again without EVMs in Punjab, Azad replied "We are ready. But you should also conduct election in Uttar Pradesh again in that case."

Azad drew the attention of the House to a Supreme Court order from October 2013 about the use of VVPAT machines, when the expenditure was estimated at Rs 3,100 crore.

"You have been holding it. If you start acting now, you would be able to do it by the 2019 Lok Sabha polls," he said.

Initiating the debate, Mukul Roy of Trinamool Congress said there should be an audit of expenditure during polls of public meetings and the use of air transportation by political parties, and which should be tabled in the House.

The West Bengal MP also demanded state funding for political parties for contesting elections, saying without state funding, only big and resourceful parties would be able to contest polls.

The most scathing attack, however, came from BSP leader SC Misra who virtually blamed BJP for compromising EVMs to secure its massive mandate of 312 seats in the 403-seat Assembly.

"Take the example of opinion polls. How do you know the 300-plus number? Because you know how many EVMs have been fixed," he alleged.

Charging the BJP of playing foul, Misra said "People are feeling cheated…Hacking is being done…When we are speaking for the voters, you guys were roaming with hackers," he charged, amid loud protests from the Treasury benches.

Showing a book Democracy at Risk by BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao and contributed to by none other than L K Advani and Dr Subramanian Swamy, Misra said, "If you read this book by one of your own, nobody can believe in EVMs."

"Hacking can be done through satellite. Look at our voting in this House. Problems arise during voting and we are forced to vote through ballot paper…Even if there is a one per cent chance of hacking then the right dies, which is mentioned in the Preamble written by Dr. Ambedkar."

He quoted the Supreme Court order on freedom of expression of voters, pointing out it includes casting of vote.

"If you haven't hacked the EVMs, why did you violate the SC guidelines? We didn't take the issue to court. Your side did. Dr. Subramanian Swamy did."