SC On Politicians Questioning EVMs

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by evangelist Dr K.A. Paul seeking physical ballot voting in India claiming that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) can be tampered with.

The petitioner who appeared in person to argue his plea told the Supreme Court that even Elon Musk has said that EVMs can be tampered. He went on to name politicians including Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu and Mr Reddy who have questioned the authenticity of EVMs.

The top court while dismissing the petition said that when Chandrababu Naidu or Mr. Jaggan Mohan Reddy lost, they say that EVMs are tampered but when they win, they don’t say anything.

“If you win the elections, EVMs are not tampered. When you lose elections, EVMs are tampered. When Chandrababu Naidu lost, he said EVMs can be tampered. Now, this time, Jaggan Mohan Reddy lost, he said EVMs can be tampered,” Justice Vikram Nath remarked.

The petitioners had also sought directions from the Supreme Court to the Election Commission to disqualify candidates for at least 5 years if found guilty of distributing money liquor and other inducements during elections.

The plea further sought formulation of comprehensive policy to ensure prevention of use of money and liquor during elections. It also sought a direction to introduce voting education program to ensure that more people cash-in their votes. 

The petitioner also sought a direction to ECI to establish effective investigative machinery to enquire about funds received by political parties. While appearing in court, Dr Paul said that this prayer is aimed at raising awareness of electoral process. It also asked for establishing a Robust mechanism for preventing violence during elections.

“If democracy will be dying like this and we will not doing anything, what will happen to the future? Let the political parties file counter,” Dr Paul prayed.

The top court however refused to entertain the plea and dismissed it.