UDP takes dig at BJP ‘surprise’

SHILLONG: UDP leader Bindo Lanong reiterated the party’s demand to revert to secret paper ballot to avoid malpractices during elections as tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs) to be used in the Assembly elections cannot be ruled out. 
“States in the Northeast have a small population, why not use paper ballots? Even chief minister, Mukul Sangma said EVMs were tampered when NPP swept the elections in Garo Hills,” Lanong said. 
Taking a dig at the statement made by BJP in which it said it would spring a surprise in the February elections, he said, “Surprise means tampering of EVMs.”
Referring to the 2013 elections, he alleged there was tampering of EVMs then which resulted in his heavy defeat, adding that there were over 17-18 constituencies in the state where EVMs were tampered.
Lanong said he did not challenge the issue of malpractices during elections as electoral cases lead to nowhere.
“EVMs should be in the custody of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure it is fool-proof,” he said.
“As of now, EVMs are coming from other states, how can you trust?
And most states are ruled by the BJP. We are not software engineers to know about the functioning of the machines,” he said.
He added that even developed countries like America, Russia and Japan use the secret paper vote and not EVMs during elections.
Speaking about national parties, he said Congress is falling apart and that he sees no winning chances for the BJP except three to four candidates, if Sanbor Shullai and Congress legislator, AL Hek join BJP.
Commenting on Sangma’s statement that Congress will get 40 seats, Lanong bluntly said that not even 50 per cent of what Sangma claims would happen.
“Tell him to bet not with materials but with words. Congress will not reach the 15-mark in the entire state,” he said.