It is okay if glue or perfume is applied on the EVM button, Election Commission has issued new guidelines, know what is the whole matter.

News India Live, Digital Desk: Amidst the election excitement in the country, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a strict guideline to make the voting process more transparent and secure. Often during elections, there are reports of EVM tampering or influencing the voting, but this time the Commission has prepared to crack down on those ‘peculiar’ methods which are used to spoil the votes of the rival candidate. Now if anyone does any mischief with the buttons of the ballot unit, he may have to go straight to jail.

Why is the Commission keeping an eye on the buttons of EVM?

In fact, during the last elections in West Bengal and other states, such complaints were received that some anti-social elements or political workers applied glue, ink or strong smelling perfume on the buttons bearing the names of opposition candidates. Its purpose is to confuse voters or jam the buttons so that that particular candidate does not get the vote. The Election Commission has considered this as a serious obstacle in the election process.

What does the new guideline of the Election Commission say?

The Commission has directed all returning officers and officers in-charge of the polling station to check the ballot unit of the EVM at an interval of every one or two hours. During investigation it will be observed that:

There is no sticky substance (glue or tape) applied to any button.

Have any buttons been intentionally blackened with ink?

There is no difficulty in pressing the buttons.

Surveillance will be done through CCTV and videography

The Election Commission has clarified that the activities inside the polling booth will be closely monitored. If any voter is found doing any such act with the EVM on the pretext of casting his vote, immediate legal action will be taken against him. For this, the help of videography and CCTV cameras is being taken at the polling stations so that the footage remains available as evidence.

Important advice for voters too

The Commission has also appealed to the voters to concentrate only on casting their vote while entering the polling booth. If they notice any suspicious substance or problem like button jamming on the EVM machine, they should immediately inform the Presiding Officer present there. The aim of this step is to ensure that every voter’s vote reaches the right person and electoral fairness is maintained.