The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Madurai News : “EVMs can’t be tampered with”

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Thursday, Jan 08, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

“EVMs can’t be tampered with”

Special Correspondent

Mock poll will be conducted: Naresh Gupta

Adequate personnel posted to ensure fair polling
Madurai Medical College chosen as counting centre

Naresh Gupta

MADURAI: Electronic voting machines (EVM) cannot be tampered with, said Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta here on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters after a review meeting with election officers, he said the Election Commission had, on earlier occasions, clarified this issue when doubts were raised by a few parties.

Prior to the commencement of actual polling on January 9 in Thirumangalam, a mock poll would be conducted to the satisfaction of the polling agents.

Asked about identification of sensitive booths, he said that in a by-election all the booths were sensitive.

To another query on the charge of some Opposition parties that the ruling party planned to resort to violence, Mr. Gupta said, “We have adequate personnel to ensure fair polling. Further, Central paramilitary forces will take care of the election process. The public need not have any apprehension.” He appealed to the voters to exercise their franchise fearlessly.

Based on the Election Commission’s instructions, micro observers drawn from different public sector banks would be posted at polling stations in the constituency. They would report directly to election observers.

All TASMAC liquor shops in the constituency will remain closed from Wednesday evening (5 p.m.) till counting of votes is completed on Monday.

To a question, he said that mere possession of the EPIC (Elector Photo Identity Card) would not qualify a person to cast his vote. The name should figure in the electoral rolls.

In the absence of EPIC, a voter should produce the following (photo affixed) documents as proof: passport, driving licence, service ID card, passbook issued by public sector banks, pension document, old age pension certificate or freedom fighter ID card, Mr. Gupta said.

Though officials inspected various educational institutions in the constituency for counting of votes, the Madurai Medical College situated near the Collectorate in Madurai city was chosen as the counting centre, he said.

Replying to a query on election rules, the CEO said that if a person decided not to vote after entering the polling station, the polling officer should not ask him to vote for any candidate, but register the particulars of the voter in the record. “By this, an offence such as impersonation is checked.”

Apart from charges that political parties were offering money for votes, the Commission had also received complaints that voters were being offered mobile phones, dresses and ‘halwa.’ “We will take action,” said Mr.Gupta.

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