Sukhbir’s questioning EVMs implies 2007 election results are null and void? - 03/08/2009

CHANDIGARH 03 AUGUST: Qila Raipur MLA Jassi Khangura today questioned the moral authority of the Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal in disputing the efficacy of the Electronic Voting Machines (“EVM”). He said, “Sukhbir’s criticism of EVMs renders the 2007 Punjab assembly elections null and void in which case this government has no moral authority to continue. He is simply making a case for a return to ballot papers as he feels his thugs and goons can better manipulate the paper process.”

In a lighter vein Khangura quipped that it is remarkable that after many years of hostilities Capt. Amrinder Singh and Sukhbir Badal have finally agreed on something as both have raised concerns on the same EVM issue, before adding “officially the Congress Party support EVMs.”

In a statement issued here today, Khangura said, by blindly supporting Sh. L K Advani, who has expressed suspicion that EVMs can be tampered with, Sukhbir Badal has fallen into his usual trap of leaping before thinking.  He said “Sukhbir has simply not researched the EVM issue. The correct thing to do is to avoid conjecture and to submit evidence.”

The MLA stated that “nothing is infallible but rather than speculate about sabotage and manipulation it is better to ask the Election Commission of India (ECI) for a thorough review of the technology on which the EVMs operate. Why not make the machines available to third party technology companies and research institutes for scrutiny? Let’s see how easily they can be hacked. Technology changes fast so the ECI must ensure that irrespective of cost the EVMs are robust and protected from manipulation at all times. India has the technical capabilities to ensure that our EVMs are the most secure in the world.”

Khangura added “Many have stated that since the USA does not have EVMs India should not have either. In reality, in spite of not having a central election authority in the USA about one quarter of the voters cast their votes electronically and more and more states are following the suit. In fact, EVMs are increasingly being preferred the world over in preference to paper ballots. Not so long ago at Parliamentary or Assembly elections there were frequent protests relating to the stuffing of ballot boxes, the misuse of ballot papers by unscrupulous officials, the sale and exchange of ballot papers, ballot papers being swallowed, excessive number of rejected votes and, not to be forgotten, the smash-grab-and-run at the time of counting.”

The Congress MLA argued “moreover, in India the number of voters is massive and the EVM is the best option for expeditious polling and superfast counting. In addition, we save vast quantities of paper.”

Khangura closed by stating “for someone so hell bent on becoming the CM, Sukhbir needs to shoot less from the hip. He preaches the abolition of EVMs and the Bhakra Beas Management Board without assessing the consequences of such actions. If he does become CM one day he will be faced with many things that he does not like. Will he try to abolish them all? One thing that he will certainly not be able to abolish is the will of the people who will in no uncertain terms vent their fury at Sukhbir and his policies at the next Assembly elections.”

Punjab Politics News

Punjab General News

RANA GURJIT SINGH INAUGURATES MARKFED SALES BOOTH AT LOHIAN

Thursday, 01/08/2019

https://www.brightpunjabexpress.com/index.php/2019/07/31/rana-gurjit-singh-inaugurates-markfed-sales-booth-at-lohian/

Jalandhar : In a major step to boost the rural economy besides providing employment to youth in villages, MARKFED has launched a sale booth in Lohian, which would, provides more than 100 eatable items.

 

NRI NEWS

Indian-Americans urge Trump to ‘fully support’ India on Kashmir

Sunday, 04/08/2019

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/diaspora/indian-americans-urge-trump-to-fully-support-india-on-kashmir/813832.html

Washington : The Indian-American community in the US has urged the Trump administration to “fully support” India’s decision to revoke the constitutional provision that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir and to continue to exert pressure on Pakistan to end its support to cross-border terrorism.