EVMS CASE
India probably needs to go back to ballots: Dipankar Bhattacharya
Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya suggested that India may need to return to ballot papers due to concerns regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). During an interview with PTI editors, Bhattacharya expressed his worries about the alleged "saffronisation" of education and a stock market "scam" influenced by exit polls.
ECI gets EVM verification requests for eight Lok Sabha seats
The Election Commission announced on Thursday that it has received eight applications from aggrieved Lok Sabha 2024 candidates requesting EVM/VVPAT memory verification in their constituencies. These applications pertain to eight out of the 543 parliamentary constituencies spread across six states, involving a total of 92 polling stations.
EC receives applications for EVM verification on 8 LS seats in 6 states
Eight candidates seek EVM chip verification post Lok Sabha results, rejected by Supreme Court; BJP's Sujay Vikhe-Patil seeks verification after losing to NCP's Nilesh Lanke; YSRCP and DMDK candidates also apply; verification in 92 polling stations; cost per EVM set Rs 47,200 plus GST; YSRCP and BJD candidates also apply for EVM check
Nearly a dozen Lok Sabha candidates seek EVM-VVPAT check
The Election Commission of India has received fewer than ten requests from candidates who lost in the recent Lok Sabha elections for verification of electronic voting machine-voter verifiable paper audit trail (EVM-VVPAT) units. Requests have come from various parties, including BJP's Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil from Ahmednagar and BJD's Dipali Das from Jharsuguda. Most requests are for verification of 1-3 EVM-VVPAT units, with very few seeking more.
'No OTP needed': Poll official junks EVM 'unlocking' charge
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has dismissed a newspaper report claiming that a phone was used by a relative of Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Waikar to unlock an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) inside a counting centre in Maharashtra. The ECI issued a notice to a tabloid newspaper in Mumbai, which claimed Waikar's relative Mangesh Pandilkar was using a phone that generated an OTP to open the EVM.
'No OTP needed for unlocking EVMs': Mumbai North West Returning Officer rubbishes claims of a Mumbai daily
A poll official on Sunday said an EVM was a standalone system that does not need an OTP to unlock it. Vandana Suryavanshi, returning officer of Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency, was reacting to a report in Mid-day newspaper about a kin of Ravindra Waikar, the Shiv Sena candidate who emerged victorious there by a wafer thin margin of 48 votes, using a mobile phone connected to an EVM during vote counting on June 4.
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More than 11,000 poll-related seizure FIRs registered in Andhra Pradesh
In Andhra Pradesh, the Election Commission oversaw the registration of 11,249 seizure FIRs, amounting to Rs 483 crore in cash, liquor, drugs, and other items. Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Kumar Meena shared data revealing election-related violence, including deaths and injuries, with notable cases of poll violations like EVM smashing and agent kidnapping.
Election Result 2024: What are EVMs, VVPAT and the controversy related to it?
Ahead of the Lok Sabha election results, the INDIA alliance urges the Election Commission to prioritize the counting of postal ballots over EVM votes. The controversy over EVMs and VVPATs resurfaces with demands for increased cross-verification. VVPAT machines provide visual verification of votes cast, enhancing transparency in elections.
SC bars YSRCP MLA accused of smashing EVM from entering counting station on June 4
On Monday, the Supreme Court prohibited YSR Congress Party MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy, who is accused of vandalizing an EVM at a polling station, from accessing the vote counting venue of the Macherla assembly constituency on June 4.
ECI issues verification SOP for EVM memory
The Election Commission of India has issued a protocol allowing the first two losers to seek verification of burnt memory in EVM microcontroller after June 4. Candidates can seek verification for alleged tampering as per SOP issued following Supreme Court directions on April 26.
HC grants interim protection from arrest to YSRCP MLA who smashed EVM
The Andhra Pradesh High Court granted interim protection from arrest to Macherla YSRCP MLA P Ramakrishna Reddy, who is accused of smashing an EVM on polling day, till June 6 due to his candidacy in the Assembly election. The court issued restrictions to prevent any criminal activity and ensure public tranquility.
Andhra Pradesh police teams on hunt for YSRCP MLA who damaged EVM
Andhra Pradesh CEO Mukesh Kumar Meena disclosed the formation of police teams to arrest YSRCP MLA P Ramakrishna Reddy, who vandalised an EVM. Reddy, named accused number one, was identified through footage. The Election Commission instructed the police chief to take strict action against Reddy. On Tuesday, the Election Commission directed Andhra Pradesh police chief Harish Kumar Gupta to take stringent criminal against the MLA.
Independent candidate booked for garlanding EVM enclosure in Maharashtra's Nashik
A case has been registered against spiritual leader Shantigiri Maharaj for violating the model code of conduct by garlanding the EVM enclosure while casting his vote in the Nashik Lok Sabha constituency. His supporters faced detention after wearing badges in his support at polling booths. Farmers protested by wearing onion garlands at a polling booth in Chandwad.
Will preserve EVM video footage for Rampur constituency as per protocol: EC to HC
The Election Commission assures the Delhi High Court of preserving EVM video footage for Rampur Lok Sabha Constituency in UP as per protocol, following a petition by lawyer Mehmood Pracha. Advocate Sidhant Kumar represents EC, and Justice Sachin Datta acknowledges the EC's commitment. EC files an affidavit on videography and CCTV footage guidelines.
Plea in SC seeks review of EVM VVPAT verdict
A review petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, challenging its rejection of reverting to paper ballots and cross-verifying EVM votes with VVPAT. The court dismissed manipulation suspicions of EVMs in its April 26 judgment, permitting limited EVM verification. The ruling also sealed symbol loading units post-elections.
Gujarat records provisional voter turnout of 56.91 pc in 25 seats
56.91% voter turnout in Gujarat's single-phase polling. Data awaited. Surat didn't vote. BJP won uncontested. CEO P. Bharathi overseeing. Shah contested. High temperatures. BU, CU, VVPAT replaced. Villages boycotted. Modi, Shah, Patel voted.
EC revises protocol on storage of symbol loading units after SC order
In a statement on Wednesday, the poll authority said all state chief electoral officers have been directed to create necessary infrastructure and provisions to implement the new protocols for handling and storage of the symbol loading units (SLUs). "As mandated by the Supreme Court, the revised protocols are applicable in all cases of completion of the symbol loading process in the VVPATs undertaken on or after May 1, 2024," the Commission said.
Lok Sabha Poll Call 2024: ECI orders storing, sealing of symbol loaders from Phase 3
Sealing and securing could see a shortage of up to 3,000 SLUs for the last two phases as the symbol loading machines used from phase 3 to phase 5 would not be available for reuse. To avoid a shortage, ECI is learnt to have directed Bharat Electronics and Electronics Corporation of India to ensure availability of the required number of SLUs, including accessories, for the remaining phases, and assembly elections to some states.
Relax. EVMs are secure, can be more
The whole process, involving technical, management and legal aspects, has been a success story for EC from the days of ballot boxes, when booth-capturing, false voting and manipulation were rampant, apart from improving efficiency of conducting elections. While EVMs, comprising a ballot unit (BU) and control unit (CU), and later VVPATs introduced in phases from 2013 to full implementation in 2017, have been a consistent concern for many critics and have faced legal challenges, the poll panel has never wavered from addressing these challenges.
Supreme Court dismisses pleas for VVPAT-EVM tally, calls ballot system demand 'regressive'
The Supreme Court dismissed petitions seeking to tally VVPAT slips with EVM votes, calling the demand to return to the ballot paper system "regressive." Justices Khanna and Datta described EVMs as "simple, secure, and user-friendly." The court asked the Election Commission to examine suggestions for machine counting of VVPAT slips and barcoding symbols in VVPATs. It passed two directions to strengthen election integrity, including sealing symbol loading units and allowing candidates to verify votes. Justice Datta raised concerns about the motives behind such petitions, aiming to discredit the nation's progress.
SC allows verification of microcontroller of EVMs by unsuccessful candidates
The Supreme Court directed the sealing and storage of symbol loading units (SLU) along with EVMs for at least 45 days post-election. Candidates who stand second or third can request verification of microcontrollers in EVMs. The court rejected demands to revert to paper ballots, calling suspicions of EVM manipulation unfounded. The verification process will be conducted by engineers from EVM manufacturers, with expenses borne by the requesting candidates and refunded if tampering is found.
Introduced nearly 11 years ago to enhance transparency, VVPATs back in focus after SC verdict
Supreme Court's decision on EVM-VVPAT verification highlighted the importance of transparency in elections. The ruling focused on the use of VVPAT machines and storage protocols for EVMs and VVPAT slips post-elections, ensuring integrity and accountability in the electoral process.
PM Modi reprimands INDIA bloc for "misleading citizens" on EVM VVPAT issue, says SC ruling shattered their dreams
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Supreme Court's rejection of petitions for cross-verifying EVM votes with VVPAT, stating it shattered the dreams of those seeking to mislead the nation. The SC upheld EVM usage, rejecting calls for 100% verification, affirming the existing protocol and dismissing pleas for a return to paper ballots.
EVM VVPAT case: SC rejects pleas seeking paper audit of all votes, says 'blindly doubting can breed scepticism'
The Supreme Court dismissed all petitions seeking 100% verification of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta delivered the verdict. The court stated it cannot intervene in elections solely based on doubts about EVM efficacy.
EVM-VVPAT Case: Supreme Court to decide today on pleas seeking 100% cross-verification of EVM votes with VVPAT slips
EVM-VVPAT Case, Supreme Court Order: India's Supreme Court is set to announce its decision on petitions calling for cross-verification of votes cast via electronic voting machines with VVPAT slips. Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta will deliver the verdict today at 10:30 a.m. The Election Commission of India clarified technical questions regarding EVMs during the hearing. The VVPAT system, introduced in 2014, provides visual confirmation of votes cast.
SC reserves judgment in EVM-VVPAT case after seeking certain clarifications from ECI
The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment in the EVM-VVPAT case after seeking clarification from the Election Commission of India regarding 100% verification of EVM votes with VVPAT slips. Last week, the court cautioned against suspecting everything regarding EVMs and reserved its verdict on a batch of PILs in the matter.
Supreme Court reserves judgment on petitions seeking 100% EVM-VVPAT verification
The Supreme Court reserved its judgment on petitions urging for 100% verification of Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. VVPAT provides visual confirmation of votes cast, displaying candidate details for verification. Currently, a sample of VVPAT slips is verified post-polling. The petitioners seek full counting of VVPAT slips.
SC asks ECI to look into allegations of extra votes being recorded for BJP during mock polls of EVMs in Kerala
The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India to investigate allegations made by senior advocate Prashant Bhushan regarding EVM malfunction during a mock poll in Kasaragod, Kerala. Bhushan claimed that four EVMs recorded an extra vote for the Bhartiya Janata Party.
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