GUWAHATI: The need for switching back to ballot paper mode resurfaced amid alleged malfunctioning of electronic voting machines during the third and final phase of the Lok Sabha election in Assam on Tuesday.
A number of complaints regarding EVM glitches were reported from various polling centres across four parliamentary constituencies, among which included that of a former Assam director general of police, Harekrishna Deka.
Deka, who claimed to be the first voter at a polling station set up in the Lachit Nagar Lower Primary School under Guwahati parliamentary constituency here, alleged mismatch in the information provided by the VVPAT machine upon pressing the EVM button.
“After pressing the ECM button, I was surprised to find that the VVPAT (paper slip) showed a candidate/party’s name whom I did not vote for. I complained about the anomaly to the polling authorities but was told if my complaint was proved wrong, I would face punishment and have to pay Rs 10,000 as fine,” Deka, who chose not to lodge any complaint as of now, told the media outside the polling station.
The former DGP said it was time to switch to the old method of voting through ballot paper as too many EVM glitches have been reported since the machines were introduced.
Later, chief electoral officer of Assam, Mukesh Sahu said that a formal complaint could be lodged by Deka with the presiding officer.
Agreeing with the former DGP’s views, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti leader, Akhil Gogoi said doubts have been raised time and again in the past regarding the functioning of EVMs and VVPAT machines and with an increasing number of glitches reported, it was time to repose faith on the paper ballot method again.
“It is about time the Election Commission showed seriousness in this regard. I would prefer bringing the ballot paper system again. Moreover, countries using EVMs before have now switched back to ballot paper,” Gogoi told the media at a polling station here.
He however said that till the ballot paper system was re-introduced the use of VVPAT machines should be mandatory.