Raising doubts on the accuracy of EVMs, 21 political parties in a collective effort, approached the Election Commission of India (EC) on Monday and demanded an audit of at least 50 per cent Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machine slips to be matched with the corresponding number of electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The petition, addressed to the chief Election Commissioner, Sunil Arora and signed by political heavyweights such as Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Chandrababu Naidu, Derek O'Brien, SC Mishra, and Kanimozhi among others, brought to the EC's notice the recent incidents of malfunctioning of EVMs at an alarming rate during elections in the five states.

Asking that the Commission take their demand seriously, the petition pointed out that it carries the assent of parties representing nearly 70 per cent of the electorate.

The move came close on the heels of the EC preparing for a demonstration to allay doubts raised by political parties about EVMs and show how the machines are tamper-proof.

Opposition parties had earlier sought moving back to the ballot paper system, but after the Commission refused to go back to the old system, they changed their strategy and demanded that 50 per cent EVMs be matched with corresponding VVPATs.

The EC assured the parties that issues raised by them would be examined, but did not make a firm commitment.

"While considering the averments made by the political parties, the Commission shall also keep in view the pronouncements made by the different Courts as well as the report expected shortly from the Indian Statistical Institute on the subject, besides the overall administrative and operational feasibility on the ground, before firming up any response," said the Commission.

Making a strong case for their demand in the petition, the parties said that the audit of over 50 per cent EVMs with corresponding VVPATs (which in effect are paper ballots) is being practiced successfully in Venezuela by its national Electoral Council.

CITING VENEZUELA

Making a case for their demand in the petition, the parties said that the audit of over 50 per cent EVMs with corresponding VVPATs (which in effect are paper ballots) is being practiced successfully in Venezuela by its national Electoral Council