EC rules out return of ballot paper, only EVM and VVPAT for polls

New Delhi: Election Commission on Thursday reiterated that it will not go back to the era of ballot paper in the upcoming elections in the country.

While addressing a function at national capital, Sunil Arora, Chief Election Commissioner categorically stated that the poll body is not going to be intimidated and start the era of ballot papers.

“We are not going to be intimidated, bullied or coerced into giving up these and start the era of ballot papers," Mr Arora said and added that the Commission is open to any criticism and feedback from any stakeholder, including from political parties.The head of the poll body also pointed out that the Commission has introduced VVPATs, after opposition parties charged that the EVMs could be tampered.

“But, EVMs, which have been used in elections for nearly two decades now, can be tampered with is wrong,", Mr Arora said. The CEC’s statement came after the controversy erupted by an Indian origin cyber expert Syed Shuja, who claimed that the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were hacked during 2014 Lok Sabha elections, in favour of the BJP.

The Commission rejected the claim and filed an official complaint against the cyber expert. (UNI)