TMC echoes Omar on EVMs, tells Congress to give EC manipulation proof

After Jammu and Kashmir CM and National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah brushed aside concerns raised by the Congress over EVM manipulation, another INDIA bloc ally, Trinamool Congress (TMC), on Monday said there was nothing worthwhile in the allegations.

TMC general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee told reporters here that those raising questions on EVMs should show a demo of its discrepancies to the Election Commission (EC).

“I have been involved in elections on the ground for a long time. If someone has knowledge of EVM randomisation and the booth workers check EVMs during mock polls or review form 17C (which is used to check ballot units or control units during counting of votes), I don’t think there is anything

substantial in these allegations of EVM manipulation,” Abhishek said at Parliament complex on Monday. Even after that if someone felt EVMs could be manipulated, they should visit the EC and present evidence proving there was some malware or technology to hack EVMs, he said.

“If they are unable to do that, a protest should be organised (by them). Only making a few statements regarding the matter does not mean anything,” he said.

Abhishek’s statement followed one by Omar that the Congress could not celebrate its victory in some elections and then raise questions on EVM reliability when it lost.

Congress MP and whip in the Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore claimed on Monday the party had not made any remarks against EVMs. “It is the Samajwadi Party, NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) that have spoken out against EVMs. Please check your facts, CM Omar Abdullah. The Congress CWC resolution clearly addresses the EC only.”

However, the issue of EVMs has figured on the Congress’ agenda. In her maiden speech in Parliament during the special debate on the Constitution, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra last week called for a return to elections using ballot papers, adding, “Then see what happens”. Separately, the party has submitted several complaints to the EC alleging irregularities during the recent Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections.