BJP leader LK Advani’s call for reintroduction of ballot papers for Assembly elections in various states, beginning with Maharashtra later this year, has divided the political class, even finding support from some rivals. The Election Commission, on the other hand, reiterated “it was amply satisfied about the non-tamperability and foolproof working of the EVMs” but would nevertheless “take all necessary measures to clear doubts about the EVMs”.

Advani had told The Sunday Express that “we should revert to ballot papers unless the Election Commission is able to ensure that EVMs are foolproof and every possibility of their malfunctioning is taken care of,” to which Election Commissioner SY Quraishi said that the “poll panel was absolutely satisfied that EVMs couldn’t be manipulated and that a technical committee headed by former IIT-Madras director, PV Indiresan was in place, to ensure this”.

While the EC maintained today that the EVMs were “foolproof”, the political class threw up an array of opinions ranging from calls for a “constructive debate” on the subject to “motives of such apprehensions being raised at this juncture”.

“Advani’s comments are most unfortunate, astonishing... I hope and trust that they do not betray a lack of grace over the loss in the elections,” said Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi. His party colleague Manish Tewari’s observations were more nuanced. “While I would agree with (Election Commissioner) Quraishi’s statement, I would also like a wider discussion on the efficacy of the EVMs and whether there could be manipulation at a macro level” he said.

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