State Election Commission Defends Legal Validity of EVM Use in Municipal Polls
The Commission maintained that the use of EVMs has been decided strictly in accordance with the existing laws and rules.Clarifying the Commission's position, its Secretary, Anurag Sen, stated that all guidelines issued for conducting elections are based on applicable laws and statutory provisions
The Tripura State Election Commission has clarified the legal basis for using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in municipal and urban local body elections following allegations raised by MLA Sudip Roy Barman over the legality of the decision. The Commission maintained that the use of EVMs has been decided strictly in accordance with the existing laws and rules.
Clarifying the Commission's position, its Secretary, Anurag Sen, stated that all guidelines issued for conducting elections are based on applicable laws and statutory provisions. He pointed out that Rule 33 of the Tripura Municipalities Conduct of Election Rules was amended through the first amendment notification dated October 11, 2000, introducing Rule 33A.
The amended provision empowers the State Election Commissioner to decide on the use of Electronic Voting Machines in elections. Sen further clarified that the State Election Commission is authorised to use EVMs deployed in Parliamentary and Assembly elections for conducting municipal polls as well.
He asserted that the decision to use EVMs in municipal and urban local body elections is therefore legally justified and firmly grounded in the existing statutory framework, dismissing concerns over any violation of election rules.