Jairam Ramesh writes to CEC, seeks time for I.N.D.I.A bloc to put forward view on VVPATS

In his letter dated December 30, 2023, the Congress general secretary also pointed out that on August 9, 2023 a memorandum had been submitted to the ECI on EVM- related concerns of I.N.D.I.A parties.

Delhi: Stepping up the ante over EVMs, I.N.D.I.A parties have once again asked Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar to give an "opportunity" to its three or four leaders to meet him and other Commissioners to put forward their point of view on VVPAT.

Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh on Saturday wrote again to Kumar after their previous six letters seeking appointment since August 9 have not elicited a positive response.

The letter also comes against the backdrop of a resolution adopted at the December 19 I.N.D.I.A meeting, which said they reiterate the “many doubts” they have on the integrity of the functioning of the EVMs and demanded that VVPAT slip falling in the box should be handed over the voter who shall then place it in a separate ballot box after having verified her choice.

While making it clear that the EC has been “reluctant to meet” an I.N.D.I.A delegation, the resolution also demanded that 100 per cent counting of VVPAT slips should be done and these measures will restore full confidence in free and fair elections.

Ramesh said the leaders of I.N.D.I.A parties had on December 20 requested an appointment with the EC to “discuss and provide suggestions on the use of VVPATs” based on the resolution.

“We have been trying to meet with the ECI to hand over a copy of this resolution and have a discussion but have not been successful so far in doing so. I once again make a request for an opportunity for a 3-4 member team of I.N.D.I.A party leaders to meet with you and your colleagues and take a few minutes to put forward our point of view on VVPATs,” Ramesh said.

He said the I.N.D.I.A parties had on August 9 submitted a memorandum on EVM-related concerns and this was supported by several requests on August 9, 10, 16, 18 and 23 last year for a meeting.

Referring to the last August clarification on the memorandum, Ramesh said those were generic in nature.

It directed them to refer to the standard FAQs on EVMs available on the EC website, explained the legal backing for EVMs, summarised judgments of High Courts and the Supreme Court on issue of EVMs and provided a chart of assembly and parliamentary election results since 2004 to show that the political party winning the maximum number of seats changed several times, he said.

However, he said, there was no meeting or hearing provided to I.N.D.I.A parties' delegation despite repeated requests.

On October 2 last year, he said a follow-up representation was sent by us through counsel and this raised specific concerns which remained unaddressed in the ECI's clarification of 23 August, 2023. This time too there was no response, he said.