EVM Saga: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has strongly rebuffed allegations made by Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh regarding the Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) and Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). The ECI asserted unwavering confidence in the use of EVMs during elections.ECIs Response to Congress Leaders ClaimsResponding to Jairam Rameshs letter seeking an appointment to discuss VVPAT issues, the ECI emphasised that comprehensive information in the public domain, including updated FAQs, addressed all reasonable aspects of EVM usage adequately.Legal Framework and Judicial Validation: ECIs AssertionThe Commission pointed out that rules governing VVPAT and paper slip handling were introduced by the Indian National Congress (INC) in 2013. It reaffirmed that recent letters from Congress did not raise any new issues, and the ECI had already provided thorough responses to previous queries.EVM Compliance and Legal FrameworkThe ECI stressed that the current EVMs used in Indian elections comply with existing legal frameworks and had undergone judicial validation over a 40-year journey. References to other countries and their courts were deemed irrelevant, and the Commission reiterated its faith in EVMs based on outcomes, legal provisions, and established jurisprudence.INDIA Blocs Persistence: Letter to ECI Seeking DiscussionJairam Ramesh, on behalf of the INDIA bloc, sought an appointment with the ECI to discuss concerns related to VVPAT. The letter highlighted repeated requests for meetings, expressing dissatisfaction with the ECIs generic clarifications. The INDIA bloc reiterated its commitment to providing suggestions on VVPAT usage.Election Commission Stands by EVM Integrity Amidst Opposition QueriesDespite persistent attempts by the Congress and the INDIA bloc to seek discussions on EVMs and VVPATs, the Election Commission maintained its unwavering trust in the integrity and compliance of EVMs with the established legal and judicial frameworks.The standoff continues as the Commission stands by its comprehensive responses to queries and clarifications provided in the public domain.
