Faulty EVMs ploy to manipulate votes: Mamata

The malfunctioning of EVMs during the ongoing Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections is a ploy to manipulate votes, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday.

She was addressing a gathering at a government programme in Purulia district. “Since morning, I am hearing that EVMs are malfunctioning in Madhya Pradesh. We can understand such a ploy to manipulate the people’s vote,” said Banerjee.

The chief minister also took a dig at the Election Commission (EC) over the issue of malfunctioning EVMs.

“I have heard that only 2% of the votes which are cast through EVMs can be traced. What about the rest of the 80%. If only 2% of the votes are fair and the rest are manipulated, why should people take the responsibility. If EVMs and VVPATs are being used, then the EC has to ensure that they do not malfunction,” said Banerjee.

Banerjee also said that she will raise the issue in the meeting of Opposition parties in Delhi in December. “I have raised the issue earlier, and will raise it again at the meeting of Opposition parties in Delhi,” said Banerjee.