Stoking a major issue of using EVMs, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah demanded the use of ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines(EVMs) during upcoming Assembly polls in the State. Addressing a Press conference on the sidelines of his Rath Yatra at Raichur in northern Karnataka on Friday, Siddaramaiah expressed apprehension over using EVMs and demanded use of ballot papers instead of EVMs in the ensuing Karnataka Assembly polls.
He said, “The EC is under BJP. Though it is an independent constitutional body, they (Central Government) appoint the Chief Election Commissioner. What we are saying is go to the old (ballot paper) system, what is the difficultyIJ” He also said he is demanding ballot paper instead of EVMs after speaking to experts who told him that there is a chance of EVMs which could be tampered. Apprehension about possible EVM tampering through Bluetooth technology was raised by the Opposition Congress during the recent Assembly elections in Gujarat, which the poll panel had termed “baseless”.
Siddaramaiah on whom the Congress high-command is banking on to lead the Assembly polls in crucial Karnataka polls, has ruled out any impact of the outcome of Gujarat Assembly polls and said “the issues are different in Karnataka.”
The Congress and other Opposition parties have also expressed Similar doubts about the credibility of EVMs and this was raised during recently concluded civic polls in Uttar Pradesh and Assembly elections earlier this year.
Pointing out that the demand for the old system (ballot paper) was raised during the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls by political leaders there, Siddaramaiah said, “Go to the ballot paper. What is the problem with itIJ”
Several countries have gone back from EVM to ballot papers , he said and demanded that ballot papers to be used during the Assembly polls in the State, due early next year.
“I will be writing to the EC in this regard asking them to use only ballot papers not the EVMs” he added. On possible impact of Gujarat poll results on Karnataka, he said, “Results of any State will not have any impact on the results of another State....issues there are different from our State. So there is no relation to one another.”
Asked about the exit polls predicting a win for the BJP in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, Siddaramaiah said the counting is yet to happen, adding, “these are just exit polls.”