Delhi polls: Arvind Kejriwal's EVM tampering claims 'incorrect, unacceptable', says EC

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission tonight rejected Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal's claim that electronic voting machines (EVMs) can be tampered to favour BJP in the Delhi Assembly polls and said such allegations are "totally incorrect and unacceptable".

In a letter to Kejriwal tonight, EC said, "Your comments about tampering of 4 EVMs in 38-Delhi Cantt Assembly Constituency is totally incorrect and unacceptable. The Commission expected you to ascertain the correct facts on EVMs before making the comment on social media."

Kejriwal had claimed yesterday that discrepancies were found during a check of four such machines at Delhi Cantonment area. He had alleged that pressing of any button on the machines, the light against the BJP symbol lit up.

The AAP leader had this morning met Election Commission officials over the issue where he was told that the machines cannot be tampered with.

After meeting EC top brass, Kejriwal had told reporters that the "Election Commission has cleared all our doubts about the EVM machine issue. They said that EVMs used are latest and tamper-proof. They are all double checked."

Before issuing letter to Kejriwal, EC had issued a press note stressing that it has "full confidence in the non-tamperability of ECI-EVMs (EVMs used by the Election Commission of India) and assures all electors" across the country that the machines cannot be misused.

"The Election Commission would like to underline and allay any kind of doubt on the functioning of EVM. It is reiterated that the Commission has put in place elaborate administrative measures and procedural checks and balances aimed at prevention of any possible misuse or procedural lapses," the statement said.

It said the list of EVMs going to individual polling stations is given to the candidates for them to check.