Chandigarh MC elections: Congress writes to EC over non-use of VVPAT machines

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 13

The city Congress today sent a letter to the State Election Commission, Chandigarh, expressing its concern over “non-use of VVPAT machines” in the forthcoming Chandigarh Municipal Corporation elections.

The party also objected to “distribution of EVMs in strong rooms across over the city” 13 days before the polling day.

In the letter, city Congress president Subhash Chawla, said: “Denial of use of VVPAT machines with EVM CUs and the proposed use of outdated M2 EVMs for voting to be held on December 24 is causing anxiety among the voters of Chandigarh. The commission has allowed the use of VVPAT in the local body elections in West Bengal scheduled to be held on December 19.”

“The commission here has ordered the use of EVMs without VVPAT in the Chandigarh MC poll,” said Congress leaders.

Meanwhile, a delegation of the Chandigarh Congress also met K Bhandari, OSD to the State Election Commissioner, today and complained about the non-use of VVPAT with the EVMs and sought the reasons behind it.

“The commission could not explain as to why the VVPAT is not being used to ensure transparency in the electoral process,” a statement by the Congress said.

The letter reads

In the letter, city Congress president Subhash Chawla, said: “Denial of use of VVPAT machines with EVM CUs and the proposed use of outdated M2 EVMs for voting to be held on December 24 is causing anxiety among the voters of Chandigarh. The commission has allowed the use of VVPAT in the local body elections in West Bengal scheduled to be held on December 19.”