Panchayat polls: PIL seeks videography,changes in EVMs

A day after the state Congress alleged that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) could have been tampered with in the elections to six municipal corporations in Gujarat,an advocate on Friday filed a PIL in the Gujarat High Court seeking directions to the Chief Election Commissioner to get the process of voting at each booth videographed so that it can be ascertained as to who voted for whom. Panchayat and talukas polls are due in the state for October 21. The petitioner,Girish Das,also sought directions to the Election Commission not to disclose booth-wise votes to prevent victimisation of voters by the elected candidate.

Das contended that EVMs being a new technology for India,drastic changes needed to be made to the machines. He proposed to have a camera and a clock attached to the EVM,which will videograph each of votes cast and record its time. The petitioner stated that the changes he was seeking would be in conformity with the Representation of the People Act. He contended that if it is too late to implement the directions he has sought,the court may allow the concerned candidate at a particular seat to get the voting videographed to ensure free and fair election.

The PIL is expected to come up for hearing on October 19.