CEC reposes faith in EVM technology

PANAJI - Amid increasing debate on the reliability of electronic voting machines (EVMs), Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi Tuesday reposed faith in the EVM technology, which he said had stood the test of time since it was first introduced in 1982.

Speaking at a press conference in Panaji, Quraishi said the procedure of EVM usage was consistently vetted - both technologically and administratively - over a period of time to keep out malpractices or manipulation.

“The EVM technology has improved considerably ever since it was first introduced in 1928. We have elaborate procedures and a technical experts committee outside the commission (ECI), which authorises any changes, any improvements that are made,” said Quraishi. He was in Goa to chair a western zone chief electoral officer’s conference.

“The machines have undergone a lot of improvement and we are trying to counter, prevent or anticipate any malpractice in advance,” Quraishi said, reposing faith in the EVM technology for electioneering in India.

The opposition has called for an all-party meeting to discuss the efficacy of EVMs in elections, after a Hyderabad-based researcher Hari Prasad triggered a controversy by claiming that EVMs could be tampered with.