'Concerns on EVMs, VVPATs unaddressed': Jairam Ramesh responds to Election Commission

EVM Saga: In the ongoing discourse on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter-verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh responded to the latest letter from the Election Commission.

Let's delve into the details of this exchange and the concerns raised by the INDIA bloc.

Election Commission's Assurance Not Enough

Ramesh expressed that the matter concerning EVMs and VVPATs was not only a concern for the INDIA bloc but for all political parties. The Election Commission had refuted allegations, affirming its trust in EVMs. However, Ramesh contended that the response lacked substance, failing to address legitimate queries and concerns.

Persistent Requests for Dialogue Ignored

Despite repeated requests for an audience with the Election Commission, Ramesh noted a lack of engagement. The Commission, in turn, directed queries to generic FAQs, which Ramesh found inadequate. He stressed that the Commission's refusal to engage with political participants was a grave concern affecting all political parties.

Legal Orders and Political Participation

Ramesh highlighted the Commission's reliance on judicial orders, stating that litigations did not dismiss the raised queries. He asserted that ongoing judicial proceedings did not prevent the Commission from discussing or hearing suggestions from the INDIA bloc.

Unprecedented Denial of Opportunity

Expressing disappointment, Ramesh noted the Commission's unprecedented denial of the INDIA bloc's opportunity to meet. Despite the bloc's significant political representation, the Commission continued to deny an audience, a situation Ramesh termed unfortunate.

Respectful Appeal for Dialogue

In a final appeal, Ramesh urged the Commission to meet a small delegation of INDIA parties and consider their views on the VVPAT issue. With upcoming General Elections on the horizon, he stressed the urgency of addressing these concerns.

Background: On January 5, the Election Commission refuted Ramesh's allegations, asserting confidence in the legal framework and technical security of EVMs. The ongoing debate stems from concerns raised by the INDIA bloc regarding the use of EVMs and VVPATs in elections.