MARGAO
Goans against EVM on Monday held an awareness programme against the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the elections, with the social activists demanding reverting to the ballot system in elections for the coming Lok Sabha.
The forum has also called upon people in Goa to turn up in large numbers at Azad Maidan, Panaji on March 4 to demand in one voice for the scrapping of the EVMs and to bring back the ballot system of voting.
Activist Jack Mascarenhas said that doubts have been raised in India that the EVMs are prone to manipulation in the elections. “Most western countries, including the advanced Germany, have scrapped the EVM machines and reverted back to the ballot system. When there is trust deficit, it is in the fitness of things, the Election Commission of India should intervene and bring back the ballot system,” he said.
Jack further said that since lakhs of people across India have hit the streets in support of the ballot system of voting, the judiciary should step in to ensure that the elections are held in a free, fair and transparent manner.
Activist Rama Kankonkar said the purpose behind holding the awareness meetings is to mobilise the people for the March 4 Azad Madian meeting. “We are not concerned whether the EVM or the ballot system will benefit the Congress or the BJP. We are more concerned over whether the vote we cast goes to the right candidate,” he said.
Kankonkar recalled how the BJP had opposed the EVMs in the past, adding that the time has now come to save democracy and the Indian Constitution.
