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His silence ‘damning’: Rahul attacks EAM

May 20, 2025, 12:51 am

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday again trained his guns at the External Af- fairs Minister S Jaishankar as he questioned his silence and said his silence is damning.

Rahul Gandhi, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, asked that how many Indian jets were downed during the conflict.

In a post on X, the Lok Sab- ha MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli said, “EAM Jaishankar’s silence isn’t just telling it’s damning. So I’ll ask again: How many Indian aircraft did we lose because Pakistan knew?”

“This wasn’t a lapse. It was a crime. And the nation de- serves the truth,” the Congress leader said. The BJP hit back, accusing Gandhi of speaking the “language of Pakistan” and asking whether the Congress party was truly serious about supporting the nation.

Rahul Gandhi’s response came two days after he had fired his salvo at the govern- ment and said that informing Pakistan at the start of our attack was a crime.

On a post on X, on Satur- day, he had said, “EAM has publicly admitted that GOI did it. 1. Who authorised it? 2. How many aircraft did our airforce lose as a result?”

Meanwhile, Congress media and publicity department chairman Pawan Khera also addressed a press conference and slammed Jaishankar’s silence on why Pakistan was informed before the conflict.

Khera said, “Wars are not fought only on borders, but are also fought by political strategists. While our armed forces bravely perform their duties on the borders, the strategists sit- ting in the capital also play an important role in the war.

The role of all these people is very important which can either boost the might of the army or harm the might of the army.” The Congress leader said that their leader Rahul Gandhi has asked some questions on the statement of the External Affairs Minister.

“This becomes very important because in the last one week, US President Donald Trump has been repeating in different countries that he mediated to stop the war and was one behind the ceasefire.

“Trump also said a very horrifying thing that he stopped the war by threatening India to stop trade. That is, the sindoor deal continued, the Prime Minister remained silent.

Not a single word came out of the mouth of the Foreign Minister,” he said taking a pot shot at the government. He said that “we do not know what secrets US and China have about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Minister and BJP leaders, because they never open their mouth in front of America and China”.

Taking a swipe at the Prime Minister, he said, “Whenever he (Modi) opens his mouth, it is to directly give a clean chit to China.” Khera further said that we don’t care about the secrets they might have of yours, but why is it harming the country”.

“Why will justice not be served for the Pahalgam attack, because you are afraid of China and America. The entire country and the world knows what China’s role was in this war and US itself is boasting about its role in stopping this war, but Jaishankar does not open his mouth,” he claimed.

Targeting the External Affairs Minister, he said, “Jaishankar himself told the media agencies that we had informed Pakistan before launching the attack. Now what does this informing mean?”

Firing salvos at Jaishankar, he said, “Does the Foreign Minister have so much trust in Pakistan that the terrorists will sit quietly at his command? What is the relationship of the External Affairs Minister and why did he inform Pakistan before the attack?”

“In fact, this is not diplomacy but spying. Everyone heard what the foreign minister said – yet it is being covered up. Was it because of this information that Masood Azhar survived and Hafiz Saeed escaped alive?” Kgera alleged.

“Elections Should Be Conducted Using Ballot Papers”: RJD Chief Lalu Yadav Advocates for Change in Voting System

November 29, 2024, 3:59 pm

Former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Yadav has called for the replacement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with ballot papers in upcoming elections. Speaking on Friday, Yadav expressed confidence in his party’s prospects for the Bihar elections scheduled for October-November 2025, stating, “Our party will win the Bihar elections… We will get the majority. The elections should be conducted using ballot papers.”

Kharge demanded the replacement of EVMs

Yadav’s remarks come amid growing concerns among opposition parties regarding the integrity of EVMs, particularly following the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections. The Congress party, led by President Mallikarjun Kharge, has also voiced similar concerns. On November 26, Kharge demanded the replacement of EVMs, alleging that votes from marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and the poor, are being wasted. “Set aside EVMs. We do not want EVMs; we want voting on ballot paper… Let them keep the machine at their home, at the home of PM Modi or Amit Shah… Then we would know where you (BJP-NDA) stand,” Kharge remarked during a Constitution Day program at Talkatora Stadium.

Kharge’s comments followed the Congress party’s significant defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, where the Mahayuti alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), secured a landslide victory. The BJP emerged as the largest party, winning 132 out of 280 seats, while its allies, the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar, won 57 and 41 seats, respectively. In contrast, the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi, which includes the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, the NCP led by Sharad Pawar, and the Congress, managed to secure only 46 seats.

Several Congress leaders, including Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Digvijaya Singh, G Parameshwara, and Chamala Kiran Kumar, have raised concerns about the BJP’s electoral success in Maharashtra, alleging manipulation of targeted polling booths through EVMs.

In a related development, the Supreme Court recently dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking the reintroduction of the physical paper ballot voting system in elections across India.

Assembly Election: Doda District Election Authority Dispatches 800 EVMs for 1st Phase

August 26, 2024, 10:33 pm

The District Election Authority of Doda has successfully dispatched 800 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to three strong rooms across the district ahead of the first phase of the 2024 assembly elections. The EVMs were transported under stringent security measures to ensure the integrity of the election process. The first phase of the polls is scheduled for September 18.

District Election Officer Harvinder Singh confirmed that all EVMs have reached their designated locations in the Bhaderwah, Doda, and Doda West Assembly constituencies. Singh emphasized that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure the elections are conducted in a transparent and fair manner.

The Doda district has a total of 310,578 registered voters, including 160,057 male and 150,521 female voters. The three-phase elections in Jammu and Kashmir will take place on September 18, September 25, and October 1, with vote counting set for October 4. The Union Territory will witness elections for 90 assembly constituencies, with 88.06 lakh voters participating.

In related developments, the National Conference (NC) and Congress have reached a seat-sharing agreement for the elections. NC will contest 51 seats, while Congress will field candidates in 32 constituencies. The two parties will engage in a “friendly contest” in five constituencies and have left one seat each for the CPI(M) and Panthers Party.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its first list of 15 candidates, representing both the Jammu and Kashmir regions. The party is focusing on providing representation to various communities and castes.

EVM Controversy: Rahul Gandhi Supports Musk, Labels EVMs ‘Black Box’

June 16, 2024, 3:27 pm

On Sunday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi waded into the ongoing debate over the authenticity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). This comes after former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticized billionaire Elon Musk’s remarks about EVMs, calling them a “huge sweeping generalization” without basis. Musk had suggested that EVMs should be eliminated due to the potential risk of being hacked by humans or AI.

Rahul Gandhi, in a social media post, supported Musk’s viewpoint. The Congress leader, who has frequently raised concerns about EVMs, described them as a “black box.” He wrote on X, “EVMs in India are a ‘black box,’ and nobody is allowed to scrutinize them. Serious concerns are being raised about transparency in our electoral process. Democracy ends up becoming a sham and prone to fraud when institutions lack accountability.”

Gandhi’s comments highlight a growing concern among some political figures about the integrity and transparency of India’s electoral process. The debate over EVMs has been a contentious issue, with critics arguing for more robust safeguards and transparency to ensure public trust in the voting system.

Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar Responds To Musk’s EVM Concern, Calls It ‘Sweeping Generalization’

June 16, 2024, 12:06 pm

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has raised concerns about the security of electronic voting machines (EVMs), advising against their use due to potential vulnerabilities to hacking. His comments come amid global debates over EVM security, particularly following issues in Puerto Rico’s recent primary elections.

“We should eliminate electronic voting machines. The risk of being hacked by humans or AI, while small, is still too high,” Musk posted on X.

The spotlight on EVM security has intensified following controversies in Puerto Rico, where primary elections faced irregularities linked to EVMs. However, a paper trail allowed officials to identify and correct vote tallies.

Musk’s statement was prompted by Robert F Kennedy Jr, who expressed concerns over EVM-related irregularities in Puerto Rico and advocated for a return to paper ballots for election security.

While the US debates EVM security, India presents a different scenario. India uses the tamper-proof M3 EVMs, which enter a ‘Safety Mode’ if tampering is detected.

Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar challenged Musk’s statement, calling it a “sweeping generalization.” He stated, “Electronic voting machines can be architected and built right, as India has done.”

Indian EVMs have been upgraded with input from a team of professors from prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). The Election Commission of India (ECI) is supported by a Technical Expert Committee (TEC) to ensure EVM robustness and security.

Professor Dinesh K Sharma from IIT Bombay highlighted the unique features of Indian EVMs, stating, “The M3 EVMs have no connection to any other device, not even mains power supply.”

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of cross-verification of votes cast on EVMs through Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines. The court maintained the current practice of verifying five randomly selected EVMs per Assembly constituency and issued directives to seal and secure symbol loading units after use.

How EVM Votes Are Counted: EC’s 2019 Postal Ballot Rule Change And Opposition Concerns – All You Need to Know

June 3, 2024, 9:10 pm

With less than 24 hours remaining until the results of the 18th Lok Sabha Elections are announced, Opposition leaders have called on the Election Commission (EC) to prioritize the counting of postal ballots before finalizing the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) results.

The Opposition leaders insist that the results of the postal ballots should be declared first. “This is clearly stated in the statutory rule,” emphasized Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

In a letter to the EC, the INDIA leaders highlighted the 2020 Bihar elections, where the winning margin was 12,700 votes, while the number of postal ballots was 52,000. They noted significant public discontent during the Bihar elections as it was the first election conducted post-Covid-19 pandemic where postal ballots were counted after EVM votes. The INDIA parties urged the EC to follow Rule 54A of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, which mandates that “the Returning Officer shall first deal with the postal ballot papers.”

Counting Postal Ballots: What the Rule Says

Until the 2019 Lok Sabha Election, postal ballots were counted 30 minutes before the EVM counting commenced. According to the EC’s Handbook for Counting Agents (February 2019), postal ballots had to be counted before the completion of EVM counting. It stated, “Under no circumstances, should the results of all the rounds of the EVM counting be announced before finalising the postal ballot counting.”

Changes Post-2019 Election Guidelines

However, after the 2019 elections, the EC revised the guideline due to the increased number of postal ballots following the introduction of the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) and the mandatory counting of VVPAT slips from five randomly selected polling stations. The EC withdrew its earlier guideline and instructed all Chief Electoral Officers on May 18, 2019, that the EVM counting “can go on irrespective of the stage of postal ballot counting.”

Counting on EVM

June 1, 2024, 3:59 am

Vote counting is tedious if elections are conducted through ballot papers. Trials of EVMs were first held in 1982 in Kerala and later rolled out in 25 states in 1998. In 2004 general elections, EVMs were launched pan-India. With EVMs, counting is smooth and seamless. With the Supreme Court ruling in favour of EVMs, all controversies over it are put to rest.

The method of counting votes in Indian Lok Sabha elections has evolved over time. Initially, manual counting of paper ballots was the norm. Ballot papers were collected from polling stations and then counted manually at counting centers under the supervision of election officials and political party agents. This process was labor-intensive and time-consuming, often taking several hours or even days to complete.

In an effort to streamline the electoral process and address concerns regarding accuracy and efficiency, India began introducing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the 1990s. EVMs are standalone electronic devices that allow voters to cast their votes by pressing buttons corresponding to the candidates’ names or symbols. These machines electronically record the votes and store the data securely.

Counting of votes cast through EVMs is typically much faster compared to manual counting of paper ballots. After the voting period ends, the EVMs are sealed and transported to counting centers. The votes stored in the EVMs are then tabulated electronically, with results usually available within a few hours after the conclusion of polling.

The introduction of EVMs has brought several advantages, including faster and more accurate tabulation of votes, reduced chances of errors or tampering, and enhanced transparency in the electoral process. However, concerns have been raised regarding the security and integrity of EVMs, leading to debates and discussions on electoral reforms and the use of technology in elections.

Overall, while manual counting of paper ballots was the traditional method used in Indian elections, the adoption of EVMs has significantly modernized the electoral process and improved efficiency in vote counting.

Here’s a more detailed comparison between ballot paper counting and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Indian Lok Sabha elections:

Accuracy: EVMs are designed to minimize errors in the vote-counting process. They electronically record each vote, reducing the likelihood of mistakes that can occur during manual counting, such as misreading or miscounting of ballot papers.

Efficiency: EVMs offer a much faster counting process compared to manual counting. With manual counting, the process can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, potentially taking several hours or days to complete, especially in constituencies with a large number of voters. In contrast, EVMs allow for quick tabulation of votes, and results can be declared within hours after the conclusion of polling.

Transparency: Both manual counting and EVM-based counting are conducted in the presence of election officials and representatives from political parties to ensure transparency and fairness. However, EVMs provide an additional layer of transparency as they display the total number of votes cast for each candidate at the end of the polling period, allowing for immediate verification by observers.

Security: EVMs are designed with several security features to prevent tampering or manipulation of votes. They are sealed before polling begins and opened only in the presence of authorized personnel during counting. Additionally, the data stored in EVMs is encrypted and cannot be altered without proper authorization.

Cost: While the initial investment in EVMs may be higher compared to the cost of paper ballots and manual counting equipment, EVMs offer long-term cost savings by reducing the need for paper, printing, storage, and manual labor associated with ballot paper counting.

Accessibility: EVMs are user-friendly and accessible to voters of all ages and abilities. They often include features such as Braille labels and audio instructions to assist visually impaired voters. This helps in promoting inclusivity and ensuring that all eligible voters can participate in the electoral process.

Public Confidence: The use of EVMs has been subject to scrutiny and debate in India, with concerns raised by some political parties and activists regarding the security and integrity of the voting machines. Despite these concerns, EVMs have generally been accepted by the Election Commission of India as a reliable and efficient means of conducting elections.

Storage and Handling: EVMs require less storage space compared to paper ballots and counting equipment. After elections, EVMs can be securely stored in a relatively small space, whereas paper ballots require proper storage facilities to prevent damage or tampering.

Recounts and Audits: In case of disputes or requests for recounts, manual counting of paper ballots can be more feasible as each ballot paper can be individually inspected and recounted. However, with EVMs, recounting is limited to verifying the electronic tally stored in the machines, which some critics argue may not provide the same level of transparency as manual recounts.

Environmental Impact: The use of EVMs reduces the environmental impact associated with paper-based elections, including deforestation, paper waste, and carbon emissions from transportation. EVMs are reusable electronic devices that contribute to the sustainability of the electoral process.

Technological Advancements: EVM technology continues to evolve, with ongoing efforts to enhance security, reliability, and accessibility. New features such as Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems have been introduced to provide voters with a physical receipt of their vote, further increasing transparency and confidence in the electoral process.

Legal and Regulatory Framework: The use of EVMs in Indian elections is governed by a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework, including guidelines for manufacturing, testing, and deployment of the machines. The Election Commission of India plays a central role in ensuring compliance with these regulations and addressing any concerns related to EVMs.

Public Awareness and Education: The introduction of EVMs has necessitated public awareness campaigns and voter education initiatives to familiarize voters with the technology and reassure them of its reliability. This includes training poll workers, conducting mock elections, and disseminating information about the voting process and security measures in place.

International Comparisons: India is not the only country to use EVMs in elections. Many other democracies around the world, including Brazil, the Philippines, and several European countries, have adopted electronic voting systems to varying degrees. Studying international experiences can provide insights into best practices and potential challenges associated with EVMs.

In summary, while both manual counting of paper ballots and EVM-based counting have their advantages and challenges, the adoption of EVMs has significantly modernized the electoral process in India, making it more efficient, transparent, and accessible to voters. These points highlight various aspects of the transition from manual ballot paper counting to EVM-based counting in Indian Lok Sabha elections, illustrating the multifaceted nature of electoral modernization efforts.

Today, we delve into the comprehensive details of what an EVM truly is and how it functions in the vote-counting process.

As per the Election Commission’s definition, an EVM refers to voting conducted electronically to either assist or manage the tasks of casting and tallying votes. In simpler terms, EVMs electronically record voters’ choices, thereby reducing human effort in the voting and counting process during elections.

EVMs were introduced as a replacement for traditional paper ballots and were first utilized in the No. 70 Parvur assembly constituency in Kerala in 1982. These machines consist of two units: Control Unit and Balloting Unit.

During voting, the Presiding Officer holds the control unit, while the balloting unit is placed in the compartment for voters to cast their votes. It’s important to note that the Presiding Officer verifies the voter’s identity but does not see the choice of vote. EVMs operate on standard batteries and do not require electricity. Each EVM can record up to 2,000 votes, and if one malfunctions, it is replaced with a new one while ensuring that the votes recorded until that point are safely stored in the control unit’s memory.

While using an EVM, instead of issuing a paper ballot as done traditionally, the polling officer enables voters to cast their votes by pressing a button. A list of candidates’ names and symbols is displayed on the machine, and voters select their preferred candidate by pressing the corresponding button.

The responsibility of conducting elections and counting votes in a constituency lies with the Returning Officer (RO), who is appointed by the Election Commission in consultation with the state government. Counting of votes ideally takes place in one location under the direct supervision of the RO. However, in constituencies with multiple assembly segments, counting may occur at different locations supervised by Assistant Returning Officers (AROs).

The counting process begins with the tallying of Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballots (ETPB) and Postal Ballots (PB) under the RO’s supervision. After a set duration, counting of EVMs commences, with results declared after each round of counting, typically covering votes from 14 EVMs.

In summary, EVMs have revolutionized the electoral process in India, streamlining voting and counting procedures while maintaining transparency and accuracy in elections.

EC Takes Strict Action Against YSRCP MLA For Damaging EVM

May 22, 2024, 10:08 am

The Election Commission (EC) has taken serious action against YSRCP MLA P Ramakrishna Reddy, who is accused of damaging an electronic voting machine (EVM). This move follows an incident where Reddy was allegedly recorded on a web camera vandalizing an EVM at a polling center in the Macharla constituency of Palnadu district.

A video of the incident involving the ruling YSRCP MLA surfaced, prompting the poll panel to hand over the footage to the state police for further investigation. The chief electoral officer of Andhra Pradesh stated, “YSRCP Sitting MLA Pinneli Ramakrishna Reddy was recorded on a web camera during the incident of vandalising EVMs in 7 polling centres, including PS number 202 in Macharla Assembly constituency.”

Election officials from Palnadu district provided the police with video footage from all relevant polling stations to assist in the investigation. The police have included the MLA’s name as an accused in the case. The EC emphasized the seriousness of the matter and directed CEO Mukesh Kumar Meena to inform the DGP to take strict action against those involved, aiming to deter such actions in the future and ensure peaceful elections.

Opposition leader and Telugu Desam Party national general secretary, Nara Lokesh, claimed that the ruling party legislator, under Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, resorted to destroying EVMs out of fear of losing the elections. Lokesh shared a video of the incident on X, stating, “YS Jagan Mohan Reddy not only killed his own uncle but also the people who voted for him and, finally, democracy itself. YCP MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy vandalised the EVM at the Palwai Gate polling centre in the Macharla Constituency.”

He demanded strict action from the Election Commission against Reddy, asserting, “People are going to give a real verdict on YCP’s factional politics on June 4.”

Additionally, on Tuesday, an Ambedkar statue in Agraharam village, Pithapuram, Kakinada district, was allegedly vandalized by unidentified individuals, causing unrest and disrupting traffic. The police promised strict action after Dalits gathered in protest, demanding justice, which led to a large police deployment and traffic diversion.

In the assembly elections, the ruling YSRCP is contesting all 175 seats, seeking a new term, while the TDP is running in 144 seats in alliance with the BJP and actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena. Under this seat-sharing arrangement, the Jana Sena is contesting 21 seats, and the BJP 10. Andhra Pradesh held its assembly and Lok Sabha elections in a single phase on May 13, with reports of widespread violence as polling concluded.

EVM-VVPAT issue: SC to resume hearing on petition for 100% votes verification today

April 18, 2024, 11:05 am

Today, the Supreme Court is set to resume its proceedings on petitions advocating for the complete verification of EVM votes through VVPAT slips. A bench led by Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta will hear the pleas submitted by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and others. In response to ADR’s petition, the Election Commission of India had cited logistical challenges in implementing full VVPAT verification.

Previously, on Tuesday during a hearing on petitions regarding the Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system, the Supreme Court requested the Election Commission to furnish information regarding electronic voting machines (EVMs). However, the Court dismissed the possibility of reverting to paper ballots, emphasizing that the judiciary remembers past experiences.

Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta presided over the bench during the hearing, which centered on petitions advocating for cross-verification of votes using the VVPAT system. This system allows voters to verify the accuracy of their votes through a paper trail. The VVPAT produces a paper slip visible to the voter, which is then stored in a sealed cover for potential disputes.

SC seeks reply from EC, Centre on petition for complete count of VVPAT Slips

April 2, 2024, 12:40 am

In a significant development, the Supreme Court requested responses from both the Election Commission and the Centre regarding a petition seeking a full count of VVPAT slips in elections, contrasting with the current practice of verifying only five randomly chosen EVMs through VVPAT paper slips. VVPAT, which allows voters to verify their votes, generates a paper slip stored in a sealed cover for potential disputes.

Previously, the court had mandated the Election Commission to increase the number of EVMs undergoing VVPAT verification from one to five per assembly segment in a parliamentary constituency. The bench, consisting of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta, acknowledged the arguments made by lawyers representing activist Arun Kumar Agrawal, who advocated for a complete count of VVPAT slips.

Notices were issued to the Election Commission and the central government, with the hearing potentially scheduled for May 17. Agrawal’s legal team challenged the Election Commission’s guideline requiring sequential VVPAT verification, proposing simultaneous verification to expedite the process.

Despite the government’s substantial investment in VVPATs, only a fraction of the VVPAT slips are currently verified. The plea stressed the necessity for comprehensive VVPAT verification in light of concerns raised by experts and numerous past discrepancies between EVM and VVPAT vote counts, advocating for voters to physically deposit their VVPAT slips in the ballot box for proper verification.

EVMs Would Have Resolved Election Rigging in an Hour, says Imran Khan

March 17, 2024, 11:14 am

According to Dawn, incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan remarked that if electronic voting machines (EVM) had been present it would have swiftly resolved all election rigging concerns within an hour.

The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf expressed these views during a discussion with journalists at Adiala jail following updates on the Al-Qadir Trust case, which implicates his wife, Bushra Bibi, and associates.

“If there were an electronic voting machine today, the issue of rigging would have been solved in an hour, according to Imran Khan’s conversation with journalists,” PTI posted on the social media platform.

Imran Khan alleged that the Election Commission of Pakistan, along with certain political parties and the ‘establishment’ “sabotaged the plan to bring in electronic voting.”

Speaking to the reporters, Khan sought “high treason proceedings” against the officials who purportedly stole the people’s mandate in the general elections.

While he supported the demonstration outside the International Monetary Fund (IMF) office in the US, he distanced himself from the ‘anti-army’ slogans raised by the protesters.

Imran Khan claimed that his party bagged over 30 million votes, whereas the rest of the 17 political parties jointly secured the same number of votes. He added that the PTI took up the irregularities in polls with the IMF and that non-governmental organizations also pointed out flaws in the electoral process.

First, the PTI was denied its electoral symbol of bat under a conspiracy, and then the former ruling party was deprived of its share of reserved seats, the ex-PM said, adding that the theft of the mandate was akin to treason, which attracted Article 6 of the Constitution, as reported by Dawn.

He said the Peshawar High Court’s order denying reserved seats to PTI would be challenged in the Supreme Court, adding that the Election Commission of Pakistan could not allocate PTI’s seats to other political parties.

The former PM also expressed apprehensions that he may be convicted in the Al-Qadir Trust case if the Islamabad High Court grants him bail in the cipher and Toshakhana cases.

Commenting on Pakistan’s economy, Imran Khan said that the incumbent government was not sustainable because of the ‘fragile economy’.

He also rejected the criticism that the PTI had left the country on the verge of default. According to Khan, the PML-N left a USD 20 billion deficit in 2018, and there was no other option available but to approach the IMF. Khan said the incumbent government had no mandate to carry out structural reforms. He advised the government to seek loans if it could repay the debt, Dawn reported.

Speaking about the meeting between his party’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and PM Shehbaz Sharif, he said that Gandapur should not have had a photo session with the PM.

SC rejects Delhi Congress’ request for First Level EVM Checking

October 9, 2023, 11:42 am

On Monday, the Supreme Court rejected the Delhi Congress’ request for “First Level Checking” of electronic voting machines (EVMs). Ahead of the upcoming general elections, the Congress party in Delhi contested the State Election Commission’s actions regarding the “First Level Checking” of EVMs and VVPATs. The highest court stated that the procedure is thorough and that the parties trust it. The court added that the procedure had been adopted throughout India. More information will come later.

EC display remote EVM to political party representatives

January 16, 2023, 1:52 pm

The Election Commission of India (ECI) showcased the remote electronic voting machine prototype from migrant voters to representatives of political parties. The Election Commission called the chairpersons, presidents and general secretaries of the national parties to demonstrate the functioning of the multi-constituency prototype Remate EVM.

To encourage domestic migrants to exercise their right to vote, the ECI informed about a prototype called the Multi-Constituency Remote Electronic Voting Machine (RVM) ON 29^th December 2022, which will enable them to vote from remote polling stations. It said that the inability to vote due to internal migration is one of the prominent reasons behind low voter turnout.

“Migration-based disfranchisement is indeed not an option in the age of technological advancement. The voter turnout in General Elections 2019 was 67.7% and the Election Commission of India is concerned about the issue of over 20 crore electors not exercising their franchise and also differential voter turnout in various States/UTS”, the ECI said in a statement.

Himachal Pradesh: Polling party banned after EVMs discovered in a private car in Shimla; Congress claims tampering

November 13, 2022, 1:43 pm

In the Rampur neighbourhood of the Shimla district, a voting party was stopped for reportedly transporting the electronic voting machines (EVMs) in a private vehicle on Saturday.

68 seats in Himachal Pradesh were up for election to a new administration on Saturday. The district election commission officials immediately suspended the polling party members after Congress workers staged a protest and claimed the polling party was tampering with the EVMs.

“EVMs were being transported in a private car. We followed it and also informed the police and election commission authorities,” Congress MLA Nand Lal said while speaking to the media.

As per the norms, the EVMs must be transported in government cars to the counting centre following protocol when the voting procedure is complete.

The polling party following the assembly election for the 66-Rampur (SC) Assembly Constituency was held on Saturday, according to the officials.

Authorities from the district election commission claimed that they were informed, following the close of voting, that polling party No. 146, assigned to Duttnagar-49, was transporting EVM/VVPAT in a private vehicle with the registration HP-03D-2023.

Workers for the Congress party said that the BJP had ordered the transportation of the EVM and VVPAT machines with the goal of tampering with them.

As soon as the event was reported, the police administration went to the scene, sought to calm the demonstrators, and sent the EVM/VVPAT machines to the safe room.

In front of Congress and BJP workers outside the strong room, election commission officials closely examined the EVM and VVPAT machines and declared that the machines were properly sealed and that no evidence of tampering was discovered.

The polling party allegedly used a private vehicle in a rush to turn in the EVM and VVPAT machines and escape liability, according to officials.

“We found that Polling Party No. 146 was carrying the EVM/VVPAT machine in a private vehicle, which is a clear-cut violation of the instruction of ECI, and we have prima facie found that the party has not followed the due procedures and violated the ECI instruction,” returning officer (SDM) Surender Mohan said in an order.

Members of the voting party named Jagat Ram, PRO, Secondary Education, Goverdhan Singh, security personnel with the Department of Himachal Pradesh Police, Vipan, security personnel with the Department of Himachal Pradesh Police, GSSS Baur Nerwa, Inder Paul, PO, Secondary Education, GSSS Melandi Tehsil, Kumarsain, Rajesh Kumar, APRO, Secondary Education, GSSS Kelvi Tehsil, Theog, Pradeep Kumar, PO, Elementary Education.