Concerns over tampering of EVMs in Assam
Opposition parties in Assam including Asom Gana Parishad and Assam United Democratic Front have raised concerns over tampering of electronic voting machines.
By ET Bureau |
GUWAHATI: Opposition parties in Assam including Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) have raised concerns over tampering of electronic voting machines (EVM).
These parties, during there meeting with election commissioner Navin Chawla in Guwahati on Monday pointed out that manufacturing of EVMs should not be given to Assam Electronics Development Corporation (Amtron) which is a state government agency.
According to the AGP memorandum, the chairman of Amtron is Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also health minister and government spokesperson. "In this situation, we cannot expect fairness," AGP stated.
The party pointed out that despite its complaint to the commission on alleged code of conduct violation by Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, who accepted that he received a donation from the tea lobby, nothing has happened.
AGP leader Kamala Kalita said that the Commission has assured that it will place the memorandum of the party in front of the full Commission on March 26. The party wanted the EC to ensure special security deployment in the Kokrajhar seat.
The BJP, at the same time, urged the EC to reconsider the April 16 date of polls. Three constituencies are going to polls on April 16. Because of a local festival, a large number of people will be deprived of voting, it said.
The saffron party wanted the EC to instruct the deputy commissioners for equal treatment of all parties and allow all parties to hold rallies.
The party requested the EC to ensure that armed cadres of militant outfits which are under ceasefire remain in their designated camps. The party also requested the EC to ensure strict monitoring of voters lists.
Mr Chawla will also hold discussions with the chief secretary, director general of police and home secretary.
These parties, during there meeting with election commissioner Navin Chawla in Guwahati on Monday pointed out that manufacturing of EVMs should not be given to Assam Electronics Development Corporation (Amtron) which is a state government agency.
According to the AGP memorandum, the chairman of Amtron is Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also health minister and government spokesperson. "In this situation, we cannot expect fairness," AGP stated.
The party pointed out that despite its complaint to the commission on alleged code of conduct violation by Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, who accepted that he received a donation from the tea lobby, nothing has happened.
AGP leader Kamala Kalita said that the Commission has assured that it will place the memorandum of the party in front of the full Commission on March 26. The party wanted the EC to ensure special security deployment in the Kokrajhar seat.
The BJP, at the same time, urged the EC to reconsider the April 16 date of polls. Three constituencies are going to polls on April 16. Because of a local festival, a large number of people will be deprived of voting, it said.
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The saffron party wanted the EC to instruct the deputy commissioners for equal treatment of all parties and allow all parties to hold rallies.
The party requested the EC to ensure that armed cadres of militant outfits which are under ceasefire remain in their designated camps. The party also requested the EC to ensure strict monitoring of voters lists.
Mr Chawla will also hold discussions with the chief secretary, director general of police and home secretary.
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