The Supreme Court of India Tuesday (Nov. 26) rejected a petition seeking to prefer the use of ballot papers over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in elections. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and PB Varale noted that the allegations of tampering were selective and were only made by people when they lose polls.

"What happens is, when you win the election, EVMs are not tampered. When you lose the election, EVMs are tampered (with)," the bench noted.

The top court was hearing the petition filed by KA Paul, who argued that the use of ballot papers was necessary "to save democracy." The petition also cited claims made by US billionaire Elon Musk that no EVM in the world was tamper-proof.&nbsp;

He also quoted Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy to make a strong case for his argument.

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However, the apex court refused to consider those, saying the Supreme Court was not the place to make such arguments.

"When Chandrababu Naidu or Mr Reddy lost, they say that EVMs are tampered with. When they win, they don't say anything. How can we see this? We are dismissing this," Justice Nath said, stressing, "This is not the place where you argue all of this."

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The petitioner had also sought a directive to the Election Commission of India to disqualify candidates found guilty of distributing money, liquor, or other material inducement to the voters during polls for a minimum period&nbsp;of five years.

"You have interesting PILs. How do you get these brilliant ideas?," the top court asked the petitioner, who is president of an organisation that has rescued over three lakh orphans and 40 lakh widows.

"Why are you getting into this political arena? Your area of work is very different," the bench said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Supreme Court of India Tuesday (Nov. 26) rejected a petition seeking to prefer the use of ballot papers over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in elections. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and PB Varale noted that the allegations of tampering were selective and were only made by people when they lose polls.

The Supreme Court of India Tuesday (Nov. 26) rejected a petition seeking to prefer the use of ballot papers over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in elections. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and PB Varale noted that the allegations of tampering were selective and were only made by people when they lose polls. "What happens is, when you win the election, EVMs are not tampered. When you lose the election, EVMs are tampered (with)," the bench noted. The top court was hearing the petition filed by KA Paul, who argued that the use of ballot papers was necessary "to save democracy." The petition also cited claims made by US billionaire Elon Musk that no EVM in the world was tamper-proof. He also quoted Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy to make a strong case for his argument. Also read: Severe Pollution Chokes Delhi as Supreme Court Criticizes Government for Slow Response However, the apex court refused to consider those, saying the Supreme Court was not the place to make such arguments. "When Chandrababu Naidu or Mr Reddy lost, they say that EVMs are tampered with. When they win, they don't say anything. How can we see this? We are dismissing this," Justice Nath said, stressing, "This is not the place where you argue all of this." Also read: Supreme Court directs CAQM to consider reopening schools amid Delhi-NCR pollution crisis The petitioner had also sought a directive to the Election Commission of India to disqualify candidates found guilty of distributing money, liquor, or other material inducement to the voters during polls for a minimum period of five years. "You have interesting PILs. How do you get these brilliant ideas?," the top court asked the petitioner, who is president of an organisation that has rescued over three lakh orphans and 40 lakh widows. "Why are you getting into this political arena? Your area of work is very different," the bench said. (With inputs from agencies)

'EVMs not tampered when you win?' Supreme Court rejects plea seeking use of ballot papers

Political crisis looms over Sri Lanka as the possibility of dealing upcoming local elections which are scheduled for the 9th of March. The government has said it does not have enough funds for these polls meanwhile national election commission has said without funds the government printer would not be able to provide the ballot papers.

Sri Lankan government does not have enough funds for elections?

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora on Friday said that there was no chance to bring back ballot papers in place of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/evm-hacking-row-sp-asks-ec-to-use-ballot-papers-for-2019-polls-192472">Electronic Voting Machines</a> (EVMs) in the elections.

Arora said that there was no question of going back to the old system and even the Supreme Court has repeatedly given verdicts against the return of ballot papers.

Earlier, Opposition parties had accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of winning the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by tampering EVM machines.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had rejected Opposition's accusation, saying that EVMs are tamper-proof and can't be hacked.

On July 31, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mns-chief-raj-thackeray-meets-tmc-supremo-mamata-banerjee-calls-for-return-of-ballot-boxes-239783">Raj Thackeray</a> met Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata and called for the return of ballot boxes.&nbsp;

Mamata Banerjee, who was one of the earliest interlocutors of the united opposition, has been demanding the return of ballot papers for&nbsp;a long time.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Mamata had asked all the Opposition parties to come together and demand the return of ballot papers. "I ask all the 23 political parties in the opposition to come together and demand the return of ballot papers. We must raise our voices. Even a country like the US has banned EVMs," Banerjee said.&nbsp;

(With reports from agencies)

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora on Friday said that there was no chance to bring back ballot papers in place of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the elections.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora on Friday said that there was no chance to bring back ballot papers in place of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the elections. Arora said that there was no question of going back to the old system and even the Supreme Court has repeatedly given verdicts against the return of ballot papers. Earlier, Opposition parties had accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of winning the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by tampering EVM machines. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had rejected Opposition's accusation, saying that EVMs are tamper-proof and can't be hacked. On July 31, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray met Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata and called for the return of ballot boxes. Mamata Banerjee, who was one of the earliest interlocutors of the united opposition, has been demanding the return of ballot papers for a long time. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Mamata had asked all the Opposition parties to come together and demand the return of ballot papers. "I ask all the 23 political parties in the opposition to come together and demand the return of ballot papers. We must raise our voices. Even a country like the US has banned EVMs," Banerjee said. (With reports from agencies)

We are not going back to the era of ballot papers: Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora

Citing “doubts and controversy” surrounding EVM machines, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav has requested the Election Commission to conduct the next polls through ballot papers. 
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“The SP has asked the EC to conduct next elections through ballot papers. There are doubts and controversy related to EVMs that have raised question mark on the entire democratic exercise of polls,” Akhilesh said in a statement issued here Wednesday.

“Technology is being misused for political purposes and there is no doubt regarding this. Technological literate society should also raise their voice against misuses of EVMs. Use of ballot papers in elections strengthens relations between the state and common man. The trust is the basis of democracy and it is necessary for the country”, he said.

He said in past elections too, a number of complaints related to faulty EVMs had come. People used to stand in queues for a long time for their turn to vote due to this. “Is it technical or failure of election management or conspiracy to devoid people from their voting rights?” he questioned.

On the claims of a self-styled cyber expert from London that EVMs could be tampered with, Akhilesh said, “There should be an unbiased probe into it. This is a serious matter and an attempt to grab power with money.”

During a press conference in London on Monday, Syed Shuja had claimed that the EVMs can be hacked, and the 2014 Lok Sabha elections were rigged.

The Delhi Police has registered a case based on a complaint filed by the Election Commission regarding Shuza’s allegations. In its complaint, the poll panel had asked police to investigate the matter “promptly” for violation of certain IPC sections dealing with spreading rumour to “create fear” in the minds of people.

Citing “doubts and controversy” surrounding EVM machines, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav has requested the Election Commission to conduct the next polls through ballot papers.

Citing “doubts and controversy” surrounding EVM machines, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav has requested the Election Commission to conduct the next polls through ballot papers. Advertising “The SP has asked the EC to conduct next elections through ballot papers. There are doubts and controversy related to EVMs that have raised question mark on the entire democratic exercise of polls,” Akhilesh said in a statement issued here Wednesday. “Technology is being misused for political purposes and there is no doubt regarding this. Technological literate society should also raise their voice against misuses of EVMs. Use of ballot papers in elections strengthens relations between the state and common man. The trust is the basis of democracy and it is necessary for the country”, he said. He said in past elections too, a number of complaints related to faulty EVMs had come. People used to stand in queues for a long time for their turn to vote due to this. “Is it technical or failure of election management or conspiracy to devoid people from their voting rights?” he questioned. On the claims of a self-styled cyber expert from London that EVMs could be tampered with, Akhilesh said, “There should be an unbiased probe into it. This is a serious matter and an attempt to grab power with money.” During a press conference in London on Monday, Syed Shuja had claimed that the EVMs can be hacked, and the 2014 Lok Sabha elections were rigged. The Delhi Police has registered a case based on a complaint filed by the Election Commission regarding Shuza’s allegations. In its complaint, the poll panel had asked police to investigate the matter “promptly” for violation of certain IPC sections dealing with spreading rumour to “create fear” in the minds of people.

EVM hacking row: SP asks EC to use ballot papers for 2019 polls

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora has said — categorically — that the Election Commission is going to continue to use electronic voting machines. He added that they would <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/evm-hacking-claim-centre-alleges-congress-organised-hackathon-in-london-opposition-calls-for-switch-to-ballot-box-191969">not be "bullied" or "intimidated" into using ballot papers</a>.&nbsp;

Arora made his comments at an event in Delhi.&nbsp;

"I would like to make it very clear that we are not going back to the era of ballot papers," he said.&nbsp;

"We will continue to use EVMs (electronic voting machines) and VVPATs (voter-verified paper audit trail," he added. &nbsp;

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CEC Sunil Arora in Delhi: We will continue to use EVMs &amp; VVPATs. We are open to any criticism &amp; feedback from any stakeholder including political parties. At the same time, we are not going to be intimidated, bullied or coerced into giving up these and start era of ballot papers. <a href="https://t.co/bco5DOSfTd">pic.twitter.com/bco5DOSfTd</a>
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"We are open to any criticism and feedback from any stakeholder including political parties. At the same time, we are not going to be intimidated, bullied or coerced into giving up these and start era of ballot papers," Arora said.&nbsp;

There has been a long history of criticism of EVMs in India, especially so since the BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014. (The criticism however has never been backed up by solid proof.)&nbsp;

In 2017, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had dared the Election Commission to give him any EVM, saying he would hack it in 90 seconds.&nbsp;

And only this week, a self-proclaimed cyber expert, Syed Shuja, called a hackathon in London.&nbsp;

Shuja made a series of sensational claims in London, including that EVMs were hacked in the 2014 general elections and that&nbsp;senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde was "murdered" before he could expose the alleged crime.&nbsp;

The BJP has said the hackathon was sponsored by the Congress since party leader Kapil Sibal had attended it.&nbsp;

Despite the lack of proof offered by Shuja, a number of leaders including the BSP's Mayawati, the SP's Akhilesh Yadav, and the TDP's N Chandrababu Naidu have called for the junking of the EVMs and a return to ballot papers.&nbsp;

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora has said — categorically — that the Election Commission is going to continue to use electronic voting machines. He added that they would not be "bullied" or "intimidated" into using ballot papers.

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora has said — categorically — that the Election Commission is going to continue to use electronic voting machines. He added that they would not be "bullied" or "intimidated" into using ballot papers. Arora made his comments at an event in Delhi. "I would like to make it very clear that we are not going back to the era of ballot papers," he said. "We will continue to use EVMs (electronic voting machines) and VVPATs (voter-verified paper audit trail," he added. CEC Sunil Arora in Delhi: We will continue to use EVMs & VVPATs. We are open to any criticism & feedback from any stakeholder including political parties. At the same time, we are not going to be intimidated, bullied or coerced into giving up these and start era of ballot papers. pic.twitter.com/bco5DOSfTd — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2019 × "We are open to any criticism and feedback from any stakeholder including political parties. At the same time, we are not going to be intimidated, bullied or coerced into giving up these and start era of ballot papers," Arora said. There has been a long history of criticism of EVMs in India, especially so since the BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014. (The criticism however has never been backed up by solid proof.) In 2017, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had dared the Election Commission to give him any EVM, saying he would hack it in 90 seconds. And only this week, a self-proclaimed cyber expert, Syed Shuja, called a hackathon in London. Shuja made a series of sensational claims in London, including that EVMs were hacked in the 2014 general elections and that senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde was "murdered" before he could expose the alleged crime. The BJP has said the hackathon was sponsored by the Congress since party leader Kapil Sibal had attended it. Despite the lack of proof offered by Shuja, a number of leaders including the BSP's Mayawati, the SP's Akhilesh Yadav, and the TDP's N Chandrababu Naidu have called for the junking of the EVMs and a return to ballot papers.

Election Commission will not be 'bullied, intimidated' into going back to ballot papers: CEC

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