Election Commission of India Issues Directives to Prevent EVM Tampering Ahead of Assembly Elections
Covering candidate buttons with glue, ink, perfume to fall under EVM tampering: ECI sources
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed presiding officers to prevent tampering with candidate buttons on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Officers must report any incidents of obstruction or chemical exposure, which could lead to electoral offences and potential re-polling.
- 01ECI warns against covering candidate buttons on EVMs with materials like glue or tape.
- 02Using chemicals on buttons to reveal vote secrecy is considered EVM tampering.
- 03Presiding officers must report tampering incidents to returning officers immediately.
- 04Assembly elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are scheduled for April 23.
- 05Strict actions will be taken against officers showing laxity or misconduct.
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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued strict directives to presiding officers at polling booths to prevent tampering with candidate buttons on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Officers are instructed to ensure that buttons remain visible and free from any obstruction, including tape, glue, or chemicals like ink or perfume, which could compromise the secrecy of votes. Such actions are classified as EVM tampering and may lead to electoral offences. Officers are required to report any incidents immediately to returning officers. This directive comes ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu on April 23, with a further phase in Bengal on April 29. The ECI has emphasized that failure to comply with these directives may result in strict actions, including the possibility of re-polling at affected booths. Additionally, the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal has instructed that political workers from outside the constituency must leave immediately after the campaign period ends, reinforcing the need for a fair electoral process.
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These directives aim to ensure a fair electoral process, safeguarding the integrity of the voting system.
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