Opposition demanded to bring back ballot voting during debate on voter list in Parliament

Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs called for bringing back ballot papers for voting in future elections during the debate on electoral roll amendment in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, December 9.

Congress MP Manish Tewari initiated the debate in Parliament and raised concerns about the issue of transparency in electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of voter lists.

“I am not saying that EVMs are being manipulated, but the public is concerned that EVMs can be manipulated… Till date, I have not received an answer to my question – who has the source code of the EVMs?” He asked question.

Tiwari said democracy runs on trust and called for 100% VVPAT counting or counting of paper ballots. He said elections were approaching in six states and urged that paper ballots should be used so that “the truth can clearly come out.”

Akhilesh Yadav reiterated demand for paper ballot

SP MP Akhilesh Yadav also expressed similar sentiments over holding elections through ballot papers and pointed to the deaths of officials conducting the SIR exercise.

“Elections should be conducted through ballot papers as many questions are being raised over the use of electronic devices,” Yadav said.

“So far, 10 BLOs (booth level officers) have lost their lives during the ongoing SIR process in the state. We demand that the families of the deceased BLOs be compensated.

He said, “An ex-gratia amount of Rs 1 crore should be given to the family of the deceased and a government job should be given to one member.”

‘EC has no legal right to have SIR’

Congress leader Tiwari also discussed concerns about the neutrality of the Election Commission and the legal rights of the body to conduct SIR exercise in different states.

Tiwari said, “I regret to say that special intensive revision (of voter lists) is being discussed across the country. SIR is being conducted in many states, but I am saying with great responsibility that legally the Election Commission has no right to conduct SIR.”

He said, “There is no provision for SIR in the Constitution or the law. It is just an authority of the Election Commission that if there is any discrepancy in the voter list of any constituency then it can correct it for reasons which should be recorded in writing and made public. Only then you can do SIR, you cannot do SIR for the whole of Bihar or the whole of Kerala.”

‘Amend the Election Commissioner Appointment Act’

The Congress leader also said that the first electoral reform in the country should be an amendment to the 2023 law for the selection of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.

He said, the law says that a panel will include the Prime Minister, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and a cabinet minister. “It is my suggestion that two members should be added to this panel, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.”

Tiwari commented, “If such a committee is formed then it would be ‘well played’ and it would play an important role in removing doubts on the Election Commission (EC).”