Verification of Votes by Paper Trails: Oppn to Approach SC, Again

The meeting was also attended by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, Congress leaders Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi.

The Opposition meeting took place in New Delhi on Sunday, 14 April.

(Photo: PTI)

Raising doubts on the sanctity of electronic voting machines, the Opposition parties on Sunday, 14 April, said they will approach the Supreme Court again to demand that at least 50 percent of paper trails be verified with EVMs.

In a meeting held to discuss the issue of EVM malfunctioning, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu claimed that 21 political parties have demanded that 50 percent EVMs be verified against paper trails.

Abhishek Singhvi said “we will approach Supreme Court and carry out nationwide campaign on issue of discrepancies in EVMs.”

Commenting on the EC’s role in the situation, he said “don't think EC is doing enough to address issue of EVM malfunctioning.”

Naidu had met EC officials over allegations of faulty EVMs in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in the state.

Saying that countries like Germany and the Netherlands have opted for ballot papers, Naidu said, "We demand the Election Commission of India to revert to paper ballot system immediately to preserve the sanctity and protect the spirit of electoral process and democracy."

“Paper trail is indispensable for EVMs. The confidence of the voter can only be restored through paper trail machines.”

N Chandrababu Naidu, chief minister of AP

The meeting was attended by Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, Congress leaders Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi among others.

(With inputs from PTI)