Chandrababu Complains To EC Over EVM Malfunctioning

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday met Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora here and submitted a memorandum alleging that a large number of EVMs malfunctioned during polling in the state on Thursday and inadequate security led to incidents of violence. The TDP requested the poll body to countermand polls at 618 polling stations.

Questioning the transfer of several officials ahead of voting, he alleged the poll body "failed to live up to the spirit of constitutional duty" during elections in Andhra Pradesh which was "dangerous for the future of democracy in the country". The TDP chief also demanded that the EC return to the ballot paper system.

The TDP chief alleged that the Election Commission transferred the state chief electoral officer, Srikakulam district magistrate, Superintendents of Police of Kadapa and Srikakulam and DG (Intelligence) without valid reasons, affecting the morale of the officers in the state. He claimed that the transfer of the DG (Intelligence), who looks after the security of the chief minister, compromised his safety.

"The chief secretary was not only unceremoniously removed, but his replacement was done without even consulting the state government, which goes against established conventions and procedures of democratic governance," the memorandum quoted Chandrababu as saying.

Chandrababu Naidu also alleged that after his party quit the NDA, the BJP in connivance with the YSR Congress Party unleashed central agencies like the Income Tax department and the Enforcement Directorate against TDP leaders ahead of the elections.

Claiming that EVMs were not foolproof and there was a possibility of tampering, the TDP chief demanded that the EC return to the ballot paper system to "preserve the sanctity of the electoral process". (PTI)

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