Opposition Parties To Oppose EC’s Proposal On Remote Voting Machine: Cong Leader Digvijaya Singh

Stating that the RVM prototype is sketchy and not concrete, Singh said most Opposition parties will oppose the remote electronic voting machine ahead of the EC showcasing the prototype on Monday.

Digvijaya Singh after opposition's meeting on new RVM protype ( Image Source :PTI )

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday said most of the Opposition parties have decided to oppose remote electronic voting machine (RVM) ahead of the Election Commission showcasing the prototype for migrant voters to representatives of political parties on Monday.

The senior Congress leader said the RVM prototype is sketchy and not concrete. Eight recognised national parties and 57 recognised state parties have been invited by the poll panel to be part of the demonstration process on Monday.

Singh's comments came after the meeting of Opposition parties attended by leaders of the Congress, JD(U), CPI, CPI(M), National Conference, JMM among others. Singh also pointed out huge political anomalies in the proposal for a remote voting machine with things like the definition of migrant labourers not clear.

Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar emphasised taking a collective decision by Opposition parties on the proposal regarding the RVM.

The leader said after the election commission's briefing on Monday, if any lacunae are found (in the mechanism), they should also be deliberated. Pawar earlier informed that Congress leader Digvijaya Singh had convened a meeting of all political parties to discuss the RVM issue in Delhi.

"I was also invited but the party leader Jitendra Awhad is representing the NCP. They (the Opposition) should take a collective decision and after tomorrow's briefing by the commissioner (election commissioner), if there are any lacunae, that should also be deliberated," he told.

On the RVM proposal, Pawar emphasised it is a very important mechanism and it would not be appropriate if any doubt arises in the minds of the people in the country. "This is the reason the Opposition has decided to discuss the issue together," he added.

The Opposition parties held a meeting during the day facilitated by the Congress.

A letter sent to them by the EC states that they have been invited for a "discussion on improving voter participation of domestic migrants using remote voting." If implemented after stakeholder consultations, migrant voters do not need to travel to their home districts to exercise their franchise. 

At the time of the demonstration, members of EC's Technical Expert Committee will also be present. The poll panel also issued a concept note on the technology while inviting parties for the demonstration. Parties have been told to give in writing their views by end of January on issues pertaining to changes required on the law to allow the use of RVM.

In case the move gets implemented after stakeholder consultations, migrant voters do not need to travel to their home districts to exercise their franchise.

(With inputs from PTI)