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Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has sharply responded to Congress's allegations regarding the tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), calling on the party to provide evidence of any discrepancies. Banerjee, speaking during the Winter session of Parliament, urged Congress to demonstrate their claims by presenting videos or any substantial evidence to the Election Commission (EC). He emphasized that the EC has always been open to scrutiny from all political parties, which could provide proof if they believe EVMs are being manipulated.
Banerjee defended the integrity of the EVMs, citing several safeguards in place to ensure their accuracy and reliability. These include the randomization of machines before elections, mock polls to verify the functionality of EVMs, and booth-level checks during the election process. According to Banerjee, these procedures have been proven effective in preventing any form of tampering. He also pointed out that he has been involved in overseeing election-related processes on the ground for many years and that the system in place ensures a fair and transparent election process.
In addition to randomization and mock polls, Banerjee highlighted the importance of form 17C, which is used during the vote counting process. This form serves to verify the correct functioning of the ballot and control units in each EVM. Banerjee stressed that this process, along with the checks conducted before and during elections, ensures that any manipulation of EVMs is practically impossible. He further added that Congress’s repeated allegations lacked substantial evidence to back up their claims.
Banerjee’s comments come in response to National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah, who had previously criticized Congress’s position on EVMs. Abdullah argued that questioning the reliability of EVMs based on the outcome of elections was unjustified, particularly when Congress had celebrated victories in previous elections where EVMs were used. Abdullah stated that such contradictions in Congress’s stance undermine the credibility of their allegations, as they raised concerns only when the results did not favor them.
The debate over EVMs has further deepened the divide within the opposition alliance, INDIA, with TMC and Congress taking opposing stances on the issue. While TMC continues to support the current system of electronic voting, Congress has been calling for a return to paper ballots, citing concerns over the potential manipulation of EVMs. This division within the opposition comes as the country prepares for future elections, where the integrity of the electoral process remains a central issue.