SC asks petitioner to approach EC on EVMs issue

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a PIL questioning the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) saying any grievance relating to them could be raised with the Election Commission.

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a PIL questioning the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) saying any grievance relating to them could be raised with the Election Commission.

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The apex court said it was not underestimating the concern raised in the petition but the issues relating to the working of the EVMs have to dealt by the Election Commission.

"We are not underestimating your stand but you have to approach the right place which is Election Commission," a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices P Sathasivam and Cyriac Joseph said.

The Bench said the petitioner is at liberty to make representations before the Election Commission which will look into the issue.

It said if the representation is made before the EC then even political parties can express their views.

The PIL filed by V V Rao had questioned the functioning of EVMs and sought a direction to the Election Commission to stop using them till the machines are made tamper-proof.

However, the Bench was from the beginning of the view that such issues could be raised before EC.

"At this stage, you must approach the EC," it said without giving much credence to the submission that the issues have been raised before three different High Courts.