Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday asserted that Indian democracy could not be left to the mercy of EVM programmers, adding Opposition parties had filed a review petition in the Supreme Court pressing for the counting of at least 50% VVPAT slips.
“Our battle is to strengthen the democratic process,” Mr. Naidu told reporters in Mumbai. “We have filed a review petition in the Supreme Court with a plea that 50% VVPAT slips must be counted and in case of discrepancy in the count of EVM and VVPAT slips, the result for slips should be upheld,” he said at a press conference, which was addressed by leaders of the Congress, NCP, TMC, AAP, CPI(M), CPI and DMK.
NCP president Sharad Pawar said that while the Opposition was confident of winning the elections, the manipulation of EVMs was the only worrying factor. “Our only worry is someone misusing this technology to manipulate elections,” said Mr. Pawar.
Mr Naidu said instances of EVMs malfunctioning and selective manipulation of the machines were reported in the polling held on Tuesday in Kerala, Goa and Uttar Pradesh.
Opposition leaders stressed credibility was key. “It will take a maximum of two days for counting,” said Mr. Naidu. “Between time taken and credibility, it is credibility which should prevail.”
