CEO says no tampering of EVMs

SHILLONG, MAY 20: Contradicting the allegation of chief minister Mukul Sangma of manipulating of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the just concluded Tura bye-election, the state election department on Friday said preliminary report suggested that there has been no ‘breach of protocol’ relating to EVMs.

But taking into cognizance on the reported claims of a possible manipulation of the EVMs, the state election department has directed the Returning Officer of Tura to submit a detail report on the protocol followed during the conduct of the bye-elections.

Chief minister Mukul Sangma had blamed to possible manipulation of the EVMs which resulted in the landslide loss of the Congress.

His legislator wife Dikkanchi D Shira was defeated by National People’s Party (NPP) national president Conrad Kongal Sangma with a whooping margin of over 1.93 votes, which is considered to be highest in the NE region.

Mukul had alleged-“There is an impression and doubts coming from our voters about manipulation of EVMs. There is a need to give audience to these grievances and I have already asked the party legal cell to examine the matter.”

Speaking to reporters on Friday, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Frederick R Kharkongor said, “We have sought a detail report from the RO whether all protocol pertaining EVMs have been observed and complied as per ECI guidelines.”

Stating that EVM protocol is very strict, he said, “All stages of commissioning of the Electronic Voting Machines have been done under strict camera surveillance.”

Apart from this, the whole exercises were also done in the presence of representatives of the political parties contesting the elections besides independent observers, Kharkongor said.

Moreover, he said the EVMs are sealed and guarded by the CAPF 24X7 under closed circuit televisions (CCTVs).

When asked, the chief electoral officer said that he doesn’t think that there would be any possibility of tampering on the EVMs. “If all protocols are met there is very little chance for tampering,” Kharkongor said while admitting that such kinds of claims is expected during elections.-By Our Reporter