Why EVMs with VVPATs can’t be used in Delhi civic polls, asks HC

Ruling Aam Aadmi Party lawmaker Saurabh Bhardwaj has filed a plea seeking directions for the use of VVPAT machines for the polls to rule out chances of tampering

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Friday asked the State Election Commission (SEC) why Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) cannot be used for the civic polls in Delhi.

The court posted the matter for hearing next on March 22. (HT PHOTO)

Justice Rekha Palli asked the watchdog’s lawyer to take instructions in this regard and posted the matter for hearing next on March 22.

Ruling Aam Aadmi Party lawmaker Saurabh Bhardwaj has filed a plea seeking directions for the use of VVPAT machines for the polls to rule out chances of tampering. The plea said EVMs without the VVPAT make it almost impossible to ascertain the accuracy of the machines and to rule out any tampering.

The petition filed through advocate Rakesh Kumar Sinha said the decision to hold the polls with EVMs without VVPAT is “manifestly wrong and amounts to a colourable exercise of power”. It said the move raises apprehension about the sanctity of the process.

Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, who appeared for the petitioner, said SEC can borrow EVM machines with VVPAT as the assembly elections in five states are over.

The poll watchdog on Wednesday cited a letter from the Centre about a possible unification of the three municipal corporations for the deferment of the announcement of the civil poll schedule in Delhi.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday criticised the SEC over the postponement, saying it was done under the Centre’s pressure.