Debate Over EVM Integrity Intensifies in Indian Parliament

The BJP allies, TDP and JD(U), accused the opposition of inconsistency following elections. They argue concerns over EVM tampering often emerge post-defeat. The opposition criticized the Election Commission but the ruling parties urged constructive reforms and better voter identification to strengthen the electoral system.

In a heated discussion in the Lok Sabha on 'Election Reforms', allies of the BJP, such as the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), accused the opposition of inconsistent behavior over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). They contended that accusations of EVM tampering surface primarily when the opposition faces electoral defeat.

Contrarily, opposition members called into question the impartiality of the Election Commission and voiced a preference for a return to paper ballots. However, representatives of the ruling NDA urged these parties to propose actionable reforms instead of questioning the credibility of the EC.

The debate saw TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu advocating for linking voter IDs with Aadhaar or using biometric markers to prevent voting fraud. Union Minister Rajeev Ranjan Singh further criticized the opposition's attempts to undermine the electoral process, contending that accusations against EVMs only arise post-defeat.

(With inputs from agencies.)