May 24th 2024.
In a press conference on Friday, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal expressed his concern over the legitimacy of the upcoming elections. He urged the Supreme Court to take necessary steps and direct the Election Commission to ensure the safety of the logs of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for at least two to three years. Sibal emphasized the importance of declaring the records of each phase of voting before the counting process, in order to prevent any member from being elected "illegally."
The MP highlighted the significance of the logs of EVMs, stating that they contain crucial information such as the end time of voting, number of invalid votes, and the timing of votes being cast. He urged the Election Commission to keep this data safe, as it could serve as evidence in case of any discrepancies. Sibal pointed out that the poll body typically keeps this data for only 30 days, which he believes is inadequate. He stressed that this data should be preserved for a longer period of time, at least two to three years.
Sibal, a senior advocate himself, also requested the Supreme Court to direct the Election Commission to make the record of all phases of voting public before the counting process. He expressed the need for transparency and ensuring that no MP is elected in an "illegal manner." Sibal also raised concerns about the increase in voter turnout and questioned the sudden rise in numbers after revised figures were given.
The independent Rajya Sabha MP stated that the Election Commission should have no hesitation in sharing the data and making it public. He urged the apex court to give a directive in this regard. Sibal's comments came in response to the Election Commission's recent statement that disclosing polling station-wise turnout data and posting it on their website could cause chaos and may lead to manipulation of images. The poll body argued that this practice was not provided for in the statutory framework and could potentially vitiate the entire electoral space.
In conclusion, Sibal reiterated the importance of transparency and urged the Supreme Court to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of EVM logs and the timely release of records of all phases of voting. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4.
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