‘100% chance of hacking’: Chandrababu Naidu on why he opposes EVMs

Chandrababu Naidu demanded that the Election Commission of India either ensure VVPAT receipts were issued 100 per cent or revert to the old ballot paper system.

Claiming that there were 100 per cent chances for hacking electronic voting machines, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday warned that democracy could not be sacrificed to hackers.

Chandrababu Naidu demanded that the Election Commission either ensure VVPAT receipts were issued 100 per cent or revert to the ballot paper system.(PTI)

Chandrababu Naidu demanded that the Election Commission of India either ensure VVPAT receipts were issued 100 per cent or revert to the old ballot paper system.

Addressing a meeting of Telugu Desam Party MPs in state capital Amravati, he noted that anybody could misuse technology.

“It’s easy to misuse technology. It is particularly easy for the one who writes the (software) programme. The Election Commission is only a referee. It should not enforce a system on which there is no trust,” the TDP chief remarked.

Stating that people were the main partners in elections, he said enhancing faith in the people was democracy.

“Political parties are only raising the people’s demand. Many parties are opposed to the EVMs. Even developed countries have not been using EVMs and hence the EC should not exert pressure on using a system in which there is no faith,” Chandrababu Naidu added.

He asked his party MPs to raise the issue in Parliament and oppose the use of EVMs in the ensuing elections.

Meanwhile, the TDP opposed the Centre’s reported move to introduce a full Budget for the 2019-20 financial year. Chandrababu Naidu asked his MPs to exert pressure on the Centre to make it introduce only a vote-on-account budget.