EC to write to each Haryana complainant, counter their claims

NEW DELHI: Chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday rejected Congress's claims of alleged irregularities in EVMs in Haryana, saying that they were safe and robust and that each process relating to EVMs as well as counting of votes was carried out in the presence of, or with the approval of, candidates or their agents in the form of their signature.
Regarding the 20 complaints received from Congress candidates alleging EVM snags, Kumar said EC will write separately to each complainant countering their allegations with detailed facts and proof of candidates' or their agents' involvement in handling of EVMs at every stage.
"When EVMs are commissioned, symbols loaded and new batteries installed, the candidates or their authorised agents sign on the seal. EVMs are kept in strongrooms with double lock and three layers of security, which comprises central paramilitary forces, and are under the observers' watch... all processes are videographed. Counting area is barricaded. How can there be a mix-up when candidates and their agents check things round by round?" he asked.
"Where in the world is there so much public disclosure and participation?" he asked. Slamming the doubting Thomases, he also emphasised that election after election, the results have differed. "When the result is adverse, only then it is termed as wrong," Kumar said.
On Congress allegations about discrepancy in battery life of EVMs, Kumar said, "Earlier there were allegations that EVMs were hacked or that they were tampered such that votes went to a particular party. But this one is new. What next? I am sure there will be another one."
Stating that there is a provision for candidates or their agent objecting to any issue at any stage of election, Kumar said it "has not happened" in Haryana. On Congress's questions regarding battery life of EVMs, Kumar explained that new batteries are inserted in the EVM control unit on the day of commissioning in the presence of candidates and sealed.