Forum to urge ECI to reintroduce paper ballot

GUWAHATI: Upamanyu Hazarika, who contested the Lok Sabha elections from Guwahati parliamentary constituency as an Independent, said he would appeal to the Election Commission of India to revert to the tried and tested method of paper balloting followed in all leading democracies of the world.
Addressing reporters here on Sunday, Hazarika, who is also the convenor of anti-influx forum, Prabajan Virodhi Manch, said the fact that he had bagged just 21,114 votes (1.2 per cent of the total votes polled) in the elections raises “doubts” on the acceptability of electronic voting machines (EVMs) as the medium of voting.
“The feedback received during my extensive campaign across 10 Assembly segments is not reflective of the number of votes cast and has astounded all those who campaigned and voted for me,” he said. Hazarika recalled that while there have been various studies and expert opinions on EVMs being tamper proof but it also a fact that a large section has raised questions on the credibility of EVMs.
“Several countries have reverted to the paper ballot system. Leading democracies such as USA, UK, France have banned EVMs,” he said. The Manch would soon submit a representation to the ECI with a request to revert to the paper ballot system of voting, which was prevalent till the 2004 elections.
“There have been many allegations against the functioning of EVMs in the subsequent elections. Paper ballot therefore will be the only manner in which the credibility of the electoral system can be restored,” he added.
The Manch convenor further said that his organisation would pursue the agenda of protecting rights of indigenous people and take it the next level by forming a political party through consultations.