EC to hold 'open challenge' on EVM tampering: Nasim Zaidi

Nasim Zaidi, to make things transparent and boost confidence of people in the EVMs, has proposed to use the Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) technology in future elections. (Photo: PTI/File)

New Delhi: The Election Commission said it will soon throw an "open challenge" to prove if the machines could be tampered with. The move has come after some opposition leaders alleging tampering and hacking of electronic voting machines (EVMs). Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi, on Saturday, said that the EC will call a meeting of political parties to assure them that the EVMs were tamper-proof. "They will be told how the EVMs are non-tamperable and secure as per our administrative and technical safeguard system," he told media, reported IANS. Nasim Zaidi, to make things transparent and boost confidence of people in the EVMs, has proposed to use the Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) technology in future elections and added that India could become the first country in the world to have the VVPAT for elections. The EC has placed an order for the supply of 15 lakh VVPAT machines and the same will be supplied by the two public sector companies-- Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India (ECI). "For VVPAT, we have got all the funds. We have placed an order for the supply of 15 lakh VVPAT with two PSUs Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronic Corporation of India (ECI)," informed Zaidi, reported PTI. Recently, at least 16 opposition parties, alleging tampering, had urged the EC to stop the use of EVMs and revert to the paper ballot system in elections. After the BJP swept assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the parties, including Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and others, levelled tampering allegations. Delhi Chief Minister and AAP party leader Arvind Kejriwal was vociferous alleging probable misuse of EVMs while BSP supremo Mayawati, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had also raised question about the polling machines.