Sanctity of EVMs will be maintained at all cost to ensure fair Lok Sabha election :CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday said sanctity and transparency of EVMs will be maintained at all cost to ensure fair Lok Sabha election in Bihar.
Patna, Feb 21 Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday said sanctity and transparency of EVMs will be maintained at all cost to ensure fair Lok Sabha election in Bihar.
Kumar after a review meeting to assess administrative preparedness in Bihar for upcoming Lok Sabha election, told media persons here that the Commission would take all required steps to ensure free and fair polling. Meetings with senior officials and representatives of various political parties were held on all aspects to ensure fair polling in the Lok Sabha election, he added.
CEC to a query of media persons regarding doubts often raised on EVMs by various political parties, said it was nothing new. Some political parties had been raising questions on EVMs but
Election Commission had taken all steps to dispel such doubts, he asserted.
Kumar said that taking all factors into consideration including judgements of court from time to time, Election Commission had taken all possible steps to ensure sanctity of EVMs for fair polling and details were also made available on its website.
In upcoming Lok Sabha election, steps would also be taken as per suggestions from political parties to ensure sanctity of EVMs, he added.
"Election Commission will inform agents of all political parties while transporting EVMs for its use in polling in various constituencies", the CEC said adding that details of number marked on EVMs would also be made available to them.
Agents were free to check it during polling and counting as and when they wished, he added.
Kumar said that law enforcing agencies had been directed to keep vigil on peddling of cash and liquor to influence the polling. Banks had also been directed to ensure transportation of cash only during office hours, he added.
The CEC said that officials involved in electoral process would have to follow the norms and guidelines strictly. Those found violating norms would face stringent punishment from the Election Commission, he warned.
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