Karnataka Election: EC Rejects Congress' Claims That EVMs Were Previously Used In South Africa

In a letter to the Election Commission on May 8, the Congress had raised concerns and sought clarifications over the "re-use" of EVMs in the Karnataka election that were earlier used in South Africa.

Workers arrange EVMs in a strong room after the Karnataka Assembly elections, in Bengaluru, Thursday.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday rejected the Congress' claim that the electronic voting machines (EVM) used in the Karnataka Assembly elections on May 10 were previously deployed in South Africa, news agency PTI reported. The poll body dismissed the allegations and asked the party to "publicly expose" the sources that spread such false information.

In a letter addressed to Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, the Election Commission said it had used new EVMs manufactured by Electronics Corporation of India Limited for the elections in the southern state.

It is to be noted that in a letter to the poll panel on May 8, the Congress had raised concerns and sought clarifications over the "re-use" of EVMs in the Karnataka election that were earlier used in South Africa and that, too, without going through the process of revalidation and re-verification.

READ | Karnataka Reports Nearly 72% Voter Turnout As Polling Concludes In 224 Seats, Counting On May 13

However, the EC asserted that neither the EVMs were sent to South Africa nor does that country use those machines. Citing records, it said the Congress had specific knowledge that only newly ECIL-produced EVMs would be used in Karnataka.

The Election Commission also said that Congress representatives had participated in each stage of the EVM movement and commissioning for the Karnataka election.

READ | ABP-CVoter Karnataka Exit Poll: Congress Just Short Of Majority, BJP Below 100. JD(S) To Be Kingmaker?

Responding to the Congress’ claims, the poll panel asked the party to ensure that such sources of false information with a serious potential of rumour mongering are "publicly exposed" and also sought a confirmation of the action taken by the Congress on May 15 by 5 pm.

The Karnataka elections to the 224-member Assembly were conducted on May 10 and the counting of votes will be taken up on May 13.