New PIL In SC Seeks Safety And Security Of EVMs [Read Petition]

A Public Interest Litigation is filed before the Supreme Court of India by Advocate M.Srinavasan, President of Tamilnadu Annal Ambedkar Law Association, praying for directions to Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure the safety and security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the post polling period.

Petition has been filed in the backdrop of recent events like press conference conducted by major opposition parties in constitution club of India on 14th this month considering possibility of tampering and malfunctioning of EVMs in the aftermath of first phase of polling for Lok Sabha elections held on 11th of April in different parts of the country. Petition substantiates its allegations by reference to a letter written by 66 former bureaucrats and ambassadors to the President of India questioning the impartial functioning of Election Commission of India wherein they expressed deepest anguish on the conduct of Election Commission of India.

It reads:

"The only statutory and administrative check available to protect and preserve the confidence in the EVM'S was (sic) in the hands of Election Commission of India but what is the ground reality is the very impartial functioning of Election Commission of India is at stake."

Petitioner apprehends the post poll possibility of tampering with the electronic voting machines as there usually remains long gap between the polling date and counting date. The number of days gap between first phase polling and counting dates is around 40 days and the days gap between second phase polling date to counting date is around 35 days.

"the post poll period is a dark period in which EVM'S have very less access to outer world except to an(sic) limited administrative functionaries." 

[Read Petition]