To put an end to the bickering over the use of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in polls, the Election Commission has decided to call an all-party meeting within a month’s time to discuss the issue thread-bare. The EC is also open to the idea of deliberating on issues like money-power, muscle-power, allegation of paid news etc with the political parties. This was stated by the Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi.
Interacting with the media after participating in a seminar organised by Foundation for Advanced Management Elections (FAME), the CEC said, “We intend to call an all-party meeting to discuss the issue of EVMs and other matters like money-power, muscle-power and paid news, within the next three to four weeks.” He also said that the Election Commission’s foundation day on January 25 would be celebrated as “Voters Day” from the coming year. When asked about the purpose for this change, Mr Quraishi said that it is to encourage youngsters to participate in the electoral process. He added the President Ms Pratibha Patil would inaugurate the move in the polling booth at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
During the course of his speech, Mr Quraishi said that the EC is doing a great job under adverse conditions. Pointing to the diversity in climate all over the country, he said that the EC operates in temperatures of 50ºC as also in 5ºC. Referring to the expenditure limit of candidates in both the Assembly and Parliament elections, the CEC felt the need to revisit the law and incorporate changes in tune with the changing times.