Akhilesh Yadav for use of paper ballots for Lok Sabha polls

Lucknow, Jan 24 Citing "doubts and controversy" surrounding EVM machines, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav has asked for Election Commission to gather information through ballot papers.

"The SP has requested that the EC lead next elections through ballot papers. There are doubts and controversy related to EVMs that have brought up issue stamp on whole equitable exercise of surveys," Akhilesh said in an announcement issued here Wednesday.

"Technology is being abused for political purposes and there is no doubt in regards to this. Technological literate society ought to also raise their voice against abuses of EVMs. Use of ballot papers in elections strengthens relations between the state and common man. The trust is basis of democracy and it is necessary for the country", he said.

He said in past elections as well, various objections identified with defective EVMs had come.

People used to stand in queues for quite a while for their swing to vote due to this. Is it technical or failure of election management or conspiracy to devoid people from their voting rights?" he questioned.

On the claims of self-styled cyber expert from London that EVMs could be messed with, Akhilesh stated, "There ought to be a fair-minded test into it. This is a genuine issue and an attempt to grab power with money."

During a press conference in London on Monday, Syed Shuja had guaranteed that the EVMs can be hacked, and the 2014 Lok Sabha elections were fixed.

The Delhi Police has registered a case dependent on a complaint filed by the Election Commission regarding Shuza's allegations.

In its complaint, the poll panel had asked that police research the issue "promptly" for violation of certain IPC segments managing spreading talk to "make fear" in the minds of people.