The Opposition on Wednesday questioned the Centre’s commitment to free and fair polls by pointing out the delay in allotting funds to the Election Commission for voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines.
Citing a dozen letters sent by the Commission to the Centre and to the Prime Minister, Opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha said that unless VVPAT machines were installed, voters would lose their confidence in electronic voting machines (EVMs).
The Short Duration Discussion on electoral reforms also saw the Elders making suggestions on using the media for elections. “The Election Commission has send 11 letters to government and one SOS (save our soul) message to the Prime Minister about the use of these paper trail machines. Since the government has not responded to the EC’s communique, the people are doubting the intention of the government,” Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said, while urging the Centre to take action so that VVPAT machines could be used in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Quoting a book written by BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao, BSP leader Satish Chandra Mishra said the ruling party had itself been arguing against EVMs, and its MP Subramanian Swamy got a favourable order from Supreme Court to ensure the use of VVPAT machines along with the EVMs.
Bhupender Yadav of the BJP countered the allegations, while advocating simultaneous elections to the Centre and States, so that governance is not affected due to the model code of conduct being in force.
SP leader Ramgopal Yadav said: “Those who manufacture EVM machines, if a deal is fixed [with them], if you press the symbol of Elephant, it goes to Lotus. It is possible.”
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said the proposals of electoral funding by bonds and ₹2,000 limit person as “mere eyewash”. Urging that there should be a ceiling on spending, he said: “Corporate funding to political parties should be banned. Let there be a State fund which could be managed by the Election Commission,” Yechury added.