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Tag: EVMs

  • Delayed Election Results Reminds Pakistan Of EVMs’ Efficiency | world news

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Arif Alvi expressed his frustration on Saturday over the postponed election results and stated that if the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) had been in use during the general elections on February 8, the nation would not be facing this current crisis, Geo News reported. Despite the commission’s lofty claims, the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) new Election Management System (EMS) failed, he said.

    Notably, the election regulator has yet to release the preliminary results for every constituency, nearly seventy-two hours after the polls closed. In a post on social media platform President Alvi recalled the fight for the EVMs waged by the previous PTI-led government, saying that the entire endeavor–which involved more than 50 meetings at the presidency alone–was abandoned.

    “Remember ‘our’ long struggle for EVMs. EVM had paper ballots that could be counted separately by hand (like it is being done today) but it also had a simple electronic calculator/counter of each vote button pressed,” he said. The president, according to Geo News, said that the totals of every candidate would have been available and printed within five minutes of the closing of the poll if the machines were used.

    On February 10, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) staged a protest over alleged rigging and alteration of results in Sindh’s PS-22 constituency. “Our [JUI-F’s] the candidate was made to lose via [deliberate] change of results,” JUI-F leader Rashid Mehmood Soomro said. “We have won by [margin of] 7,000 votes as per the Form 45s in our possession,” he said while calling for fresh elections in multiple constituencies, according to Geo News.

    Amid the delay in the publication of Pakistan’s election results, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has given a call for a nationwide protest on Sunday to protect the sanctity of the vote as independent candidates are in the lead with 100 seats. According to the report, the decision comes after the party’s core committee meeting was held and it was announced to hold ‘peaceful protests’ across the country to protect the sanctity of the vote. The meeting also deliberated on election results and the future course of action.

    The core committee also discussed matters related to affiliation with specific political parties. Important decisions were made during the meeting, which the party said would be implemented after consultation with PTI founder Imran Khan.

  • Our duty to persuade political events on EVMs: CEC Kumar

    Leader Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar stated but even so generation, the method from the time an EVM is deployed until it’s saved again in a warehouse is stringent and clear.

    NEW DELHI: Days after a bunch of opposition events raised considerations over the efficacy of EVMs, Leader Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday stated it was once the ballot panel’s duty to persuade political events at the balloting machines.

    He additionally stated through the years, digital balloting machines have given leads to favour of all those that have raised considerations over its reliability.

    A number of opposition events had remaining week flagged considerations over the reliability of EVMs and had recommended the Election Fee to deal with their doubts.

    “This query has been spoke back on a number of events. I do not need to solution it once more with the exception of the purpose that during a democratic machine, political events have a significant position. They’re crucial stakeholders,” Kumar stated responding to a query on opposition events’ considerations.

    “Now we have examine it (considerations), however but to obtain anything else. As and once we obtain it, we will be able to take a look at our very best to persuade them. Now we have achieved it, we will do it once more. It’s our duty,” he stated.

    He stated the problem of efficacy of the EVMs by no means got here up previously 5 meeting elections.

    Other people misplaced via not up to 100 votes and applicants authorized it fortuitously, he stated.

    He stated but even so generation, the method from the time an EVM is deployed until it’s saved again in a warehouse is stringent and clear.

    Representatives of events are concerned at every step, he stated.

    “Since political events are pronouncing, it will have to be smartly idea transfer. EVMs through the years have given leads to favour of those that are elevating it (factor),” he stated.

    To any other query on far off balloting gadget, the CEC stated the ballot panel has won tips on it, “however from an overly restricted collection of events. We wrote to with reference to 60 events. The processes, the executive phase, the prison phase and the technological phase is a piece in growth. Everyone has advised. This can be a long-drawn procedure. Until that point, the outreach for bringing as many of us to the polling station is still our center of attention,” he stated.

  • Giant query mark over Election Fee’s equity in previous couple of years: Prashant Bhushan

    By means of PTI

    NAGPUR: Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan on Sunday stated the equity of the Election Fee of India (ECI) has come underneath cloud in the previous few years.

    He accused the ECI of conserving mum when giant leaders from the ruling birthday party violate the ballot code, whilst appearing all of a sudden in opposition to the opposition events in such instances, and in addition claimed that the agenda of elections is made conserving in thoughts the benefit of the federal government.

    Bhushan alleged that the independence of the judiciary is underneath risk and the ones talking in opposition to the federal government face sedition and different critical fees, and they don’t seem to be ready to get bail for years.

    He used to be talking at the subject ‘Demanding situations ahead of Democracy ‘ all the way through a programme organised right here through ‘Deshonnati’, a Marathi day-to-day.

    “After T N Seshan turned into the executive election commissioner, for a few years shall we see that the Election Fee used to be particularly reasonable and independent. However within the final six to seven years, a large query mark has arisen on its equity,” he stated.

    The Election Fee takes motion if the Type code of habits is violated through the opposition events. However it assists in keeping quiet when giant leaders from the ruling birthday party violate it. We now have been witnessing this for a long time, he alleged.

    The election dates are ready as consistent with the benefit of the federal government, he stated.

    “Previous, even the federal government didn’t know what dates will probably be determined through the EC for elections. However now, it’s being witnessed that representatives of the ruling birthday party even ahead of the formal announcement inform what the polling dates are and the similar dates are later introduced through the EC,” he stated.

    “The cause of the EC now not being honest anymore. The issue with this has at all times been the choice within the ballot watchdog is finished through the federal government and there’s no impartial variety committee. And now, what the federal government is doing is that it’s deciding on other folks most commonly from Gujarat and they’re those that will do what the federal government will ask them to do. This additionally is a matter ahead of democracy,” he stated.

    Bhushan additionally alleged that there used to be a loss of independence in all regulatory establishments, and termed it as one of the most largest issues. He stated the judiciary used to be shaped to offer protection to the elemental rights of other folks and to stay the legislature and the manager inside limits.

    “However now we’re seeing that this isn’t taking place. The ones talking in opposition to the federal government are dealing with sedition and infrequently false instances underneath the Illegal Actions (Prevention) Act. They aren’t ready to get bail for years and that is being finished blatantly. Our judiciary isn’t ready to behave in opposition to it. Therefore, the independence of the judiciary may be underneath risk,” he stated.

    “Media may be being managed through the federal government. The police companies also are getting used for political use. The choice of a few companies just like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Nationwide Investigation Company (NIA) and the Source of revenue Tax division is totally within the fingers of the federal government, which has put democracy in actual risk,” he alleged.

    At the digital vote casting machines (EVMs), he stated that even though there used to be no important manipulation in EVMs at this time, within the coming occasions it can’t be dominated out.

    “There’s a chance of manipulation and I believe EVMs are very bad. Paper ballots will have to go back and they have got returned in lots of the international locations,” he stated.

    So as to take on those demanding situations, a lot of reforms may also be introduced through introducing Projects and Referendum legislation, Pre-legislative Transparency and Session legislation, he stated, including that parliamentary committees will have to be revived.

    Because the opposition has turn into vulnerable now, those reforms can’t be finished through it by myself and therefore other folks want to elevate their voices now. They may be able to elevate voices in opposition to unfair practices like which used to be finished for the Lokpal Invoice.

    Folks can release giant agitations on problems like unemployment and privatisation of public sector devices, which will even beef up the opposition, he stated.

    Replying to a question through PTI at the sidelines of the programme about why the Preferrred Courtroom used to be now not taking on the problem of electoral bonds on a concern foundation, Bhushan stated the federal government used to be now not desirous about the problem and almost certainly they had been stalling it.

    “Then again, with the brand new Leader Justice of India on the helm, the subject will probably be heard,” he stated.

    Bhushan has filed a PIL difficult regulations allowing investment of political events throughout the electoral bond scheme.

    When requested whether or not the opposition events would have the ability to submit a united struggle in opposition to the Bharatiya Janata Celebration (BJP) within the subsequent elections, he stated he used to be now not certain whether or not united opposition can be a good suggestion or now not.

    “However, in spite of everything, civil society must play a significant position to any primary political alternate is to be introduced within the nation,” he stated.

    NAGPUR: Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan on Sunday stated the equity of the Election Fee of India (ECI) has come underneath cloud in the previous few years.

    He accused the ECI of conserving mum when giant leaders from the ruling birthday party violate the ballot code, whilst appearing all of a sudden in opposition to the opposition events in such instances, and in addition claimed that the agenda of elections is made conserving in thoughts the benefit of the federal government.

    Bhushan alleged that the independence of the judiciary is underneath risk and the ones talking in opposition to the federal government face sedition and different critical fees, and they don’t seem to be ready to get bail for years.

    He used to be talking at the subject ‘Demanding situations ahead of Democracy ‘ all the way through a programme organised right here through ‘Deshonnati’, a Marathi day-to-day.

    “After T N Seshan turned into the executive election commissioner, for a few years shall we see that the Election Fee used to be particularly reasonable and independent. However within the final six to seven years, a large query mark has arisen on its equity,” he stated.

    The Election Fee takes motion if the Type code of habits is violated through the opposition events. However it assists in keeping quiet when giant leaders from the ruling birthday party violate it. We now have been witnessing this for a long time, he alleged.

    The election dates are ready as consistent with the benefit of the federal government, he stated.

    “Previous, even the federal government didn’t know what dates will probably be determined through the EC for elections. However now, it’s being witnessed that representatives of the ruling birthday party even ahead of the formal announcement inform what the polling dates are and the similar dates are later introduced through the EC,” he stated.

    “The cause of the EC now not being honest anymore. The issue with this has at all times been the choice within the ballot watchdog is finished through the federal government and there’s no impartial variety committee. And now, what the federal government is doing is that it’s deciding on other folks most commonly from Gujarat and they’re those that will do what the federal government will ask them to do. This additionally is a matter ahead of democracy,” he stated.

    Bhushan additionally alleged that there used to be a loss of independence in all regulatory establishments, and termed it as one of the most largest issues. He stated the judiciary used to be shaped to offer protection to the elemental rights of other folks and to stay the legislature and the manager inside limits.

    “However now we’re seeing that this isn’t taking place. The ones talking in opposition to the federal government are dealing with sedition and infrequently false instances underneath the Illegal Actions (Prevention) Act. They aren’t ready to get bail for years and that is being finished blatantly. Our judiciary isn’t ready to behave in opposition to it. Therefore, the independence of the judiciary may be underneath risk,” he stated.

    “Media may be being managed through the federal government. The police companies also are getting used for political use. The choice of a few companies just like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Nationwide Investigation Company (NIA) and the Source of revenue Tax division is totally within the fingers of the federal government, which has put democracy in actual risk,” he alleged.

    At the digital vote casting machines (EVMs), he stated that even though there used to be no important manipulation in EVMs at this time, within the coming occasions it can’t be dominated out.

    “There’s a chance of manipulation and I believe EVMs are very bad. Paper ballots will have to go back and they have got returned in lots of the international locations,” he stated.

    So as to take on those demanding situations, a lot of reforms may also be introduced through introducing Projects and Referendum legislation, Pre-legislative Transparency and Session legislation, he stated, including that parliamentary committees will have to be revived.

    Because the opposition has turn into vulnerable now, those reforms can’t be finished through it by myself and therefore other folks want to elevate their voices now. They may be able to elevate voices in opposition to unfair practices like which used to be finished for the Lokpal Invoice.

    Folks can release giant agitations on problems like unemployment and privatisation of public sector devices, which will even beef up the opposition, he stated.

    Replying to a question through PTI at the sidelines of the programme about why the Preferrred Courtroom used to be now not taking on the problem of electoral bonds on a concern foundation, Bhushan stated the federal government used to be now not desirous about the problem and almost certainly they had been stalling it.

    “Then again, with the brand new Leader Justice of India on the helm, the subject will probably be heard,” he stated.

    Bhushan has filed a PIL difficult regulations allowing investment of political events throughout the electoral bond scheme.

    When requested whether or not the opposition events would have the ability to submit a united struggle in opposition to the Bharatiya Janata Celebration (BJP) within the subsequent elections, he stated he used to be now not certain whether or not united opposition can be a good suggestion or now not.

    “However, in spite of everything, civil society must play a significant position to any primary political alternate is to be introduced within the nation,” he stated.

  • Meeting polls: Degree set for counting of votes in Uttar Pradesh

    Through PTI

    LUCKNOW: Counting of votes polled within the an important Uttar Pradesh elections will happen on Thursday, the result of which can come to a decision whether or not the BJP returns to energy for the second one consecutive time period.

    “Counting in all of the 75 districts of the state will start at 8 am. The postal ballots can be counted first, after which the votes polled within the EVMs can be counted,” a senior election reputable instructed PTI.

    Virtually all of the go out polls have predicted that the BJP will go back to energy. They’ve forecast an building up in Samajwadi Celebration’s tally however now not sufficient to shape the federal government.

    The go out polls have forecast double-digit numbers for the BSP and single-digit rely for the Congress.

    Each the SP and BSP have brushed aside the go out polls, claiming that they’d win the ballot with ease and shape their govt within the state, which has a 403-member meeting.

    If the BJP involves energy, it could be a document for a birthday celebration getting re-elected in UP for a 2d time period in over 3 many years.

    In 2017, BJP had received 312 seats by itself whilst NDA’s determine used to be 325. The SP had received 47, BSP 19 and the Congress had received seven seats, two not up to Apna Dal (S) at 9.

    The BJP went within the polls this time with Apna Dal (Sonelal) and NISHAD birthday celebration whilst Akhilesh Yadav had shaped a rainbow coalition with RLD and a string of regional events, together with Om Prakash Rajbhar’s Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Celebration (SBSP).

    Taking into account its bearing at the 2024 Parliamentary elections, High Minister Narendra Modi, Defence minister Rajnath Singh, House Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda and Leader Minister Yogi Adityanath aggressively campaigned around the state to drum up reinforce for the saffron birthday celebration.

    On Tuesday, Samajwadi Celebration leader Akhilesh Yadav accused the ruling BJP of seeking to “scouse borrow” votes and claimed a truck wearing EVMs used to be “intercepted” in Varanasi, however the Election Fee clarified that the machines had been for coaching officers on counting accountability and had now not been utilized in elections.

    In a observation issued overdue on Tuesday night time, the workplace of the Leader Electoral Officer of UP stated, “Rumours had been unfold by way of folks of a few political birthday celebration by way of preventing the car and alleging that those EVMs had been utilized in elections.”

    In step with the record despatched by way of the District Election Officer (of Varanasi), it used to be discovered throughout the investigation that those EVMs had been marked for coaching. “Coaching has been organised for March 9 (Wednesday),” it had stated.

    The balloting for the politically-important state used to be finished in seven rounds beginning February 10.

    For the opposition, Akhilesh addressed 131 rallies and roadshows to take at the pantheon of leaders from the ruling camp.

    Mayawati, whose absence at the flooring had to start with brought about speculations that BSP used to be out of the facility race, additionally hit the streets in favour of her birthday celebration nominees.

    Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who led the birthday celebration from the entrance in UP, attended 209 rallies and roadshows, most amongst best leaders of quite a lot of events, in a bid to regain misplaced flooring for her birthday celebration within the Hindi heartland.

    Sonia Gandhi nearly addressed electorate in her Rae Bereli constituency whilst Rahul Gandhi addressed two rallies – one in Amethi and any other in Varanasi.

    Elaborating about preparations on March 10, the election reputable stated, “Covid protocols, together with using hand gloves, sanitisers, mask, thermal scanners and adhering to social distancing norms, can be adopted on the counting centres all through the state.”

    “The votes forged via postal ballots, together with the ones by way of folks with disabilities and senior voters above 80 years, can be counted manually, whilst the votes of the provider electorate — ETPBS (Electronically Transmitted Postal Poll Gadget) can be finished on-line,” he stated.

    Except for this, VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Path) slips of 5 machines can be counted in each and every meeting constituency.

    The Splendid Courtroom had on April 8, 2019 directed the Election Fee to extend random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs to 5 polling cubicles consistent with meeting phase, from one, throughout the then Lok Sabha polls, announcing it is going to supply higher delight now not simply to political events however to all the voters.

    Video and static cameras had been put in at all of the counting centres, the reputable stated, including media centres have additionally been arrange there.

    “Ok AROs (Assistant Returning Officials) had been deployed in each and every meeting constituency for interruption-free counting,” the senior reputable stated.

    Elaborating at the safety preparations, the reputable stated a three-layer safety set-up has been made comprising of central police forces, PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) and the state police.

    A complete of 250 corporations of CAPFs (Central Armed Police Forces) had been supplied to all of the districts and commissionerates on March 10, the police stated.

    In step with officers, a CAPF corporate in most cases has round 70-80 body of workers. Of the 250, 36 corporations had been earmarked for EVM safety and 214 for keeping up legislation and order. But even so the CAPFs, 61 corporations of PAC have additionally been supplied to all districts, they stated.

    Officers stated 625 gazetted officials of UP Police; 1,807 inspectors; 9,598 sub-inspectors, 11,627 head constables and 48,649 constables have additionally been placed on accountability.

    The Style Code of Behavior got here into power on January 8 after the announcement of polls in Uttar Pradesh by way of the Election Fee.