Ahead of Election Commission’s open challenge to tamper EVMs, the CPI(M) on Wednesday said it will not try to hack the machine but will suggest precautionary measures to ensure transparent polls.
Speaking to reporters here, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury also reiterated that the left party is for use of voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) in EVMs in all the polls.
VVPAT is a machine which dispenses a slip with the symbol of the party for which a person has voted for. The slip drops in a box but the voter cannot take it home
The CPI(M) and NCP are the only two opposition parties which have agreed to participate in the EC’s challenge. It would take place on June 3 between 10 am and 2 pm at Nirvachan Sadan, the EC headquarters.
“We are not saying that we will hack it (EVMs), but we will tell (the EC) what additional precautions can be taken and in what way (to ensure transparent poll process), we will suggest that,” he said responding to a question.
The Marxist leader also wondered why the challenge is being called “hackathon”.
The poll panel is set to hold the challenge after several opposition parties, including AAP and BSP, flagged concerns over the machines, particularly after Uttar Pradesh assembly elections and Delhi civic polls, contending the machines could be hacked.