Former prime minister and MP H D Deve Gowda, on Saturday, took exception to the reluctance on the part of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to replace Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with ballot papers.
Speaking to reporters here, Gowda said although there were several suspicions pertaining to the EVMs, the ECI was not ready to follow the ballot paper system to conduct the elections.
"If anyone raises a doubt about the machines, the authorities threaten to register a case against that person. Except for a few small nations, all developed countries, including the USA and England, use the ballot paper system. But the ECI is reluctant to change the system. I am not questioning the style of functioning of the ECI. I have respect for it. But the EVMs should be replaced with ballot papers," he said.
"Former election commissioner T N Seshan introduced the new system. It has several defects. For instance, it is difficult to instal the party symbol into the EVM buttons. Even professionals suspect its functioning. According to experts, the machines should not be used at least for three months after an election. Then why have the machines used in Gujarat polls been brought to the state? If an error is found in the EVMs, the outcome will change," Gowda said.