New Delhi: The Election Commission has sought a report from the district electoral officer on media reports alleging an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) malfunction during a trial at Bhind in Madhya Pradesh, central India.
The reports stated that the paper trail machine linked to one EVM dispensed slips showing only the BJP symbol.
The mock-test was conducted in the presence of several local journalists. After the discrepancy was detected, it was alleged that the Chief Electoral Officer threatened to get them detained by the police if they reported it.
The development comes days after several political parties had alleged that the EVMs were tampered with in Uttar Pradesh Assembly election and also in Punjab.
A petition in this regard has also been moved in the Supreme Court. However, the Election Commission has defended use of EVMs asserting that it is impossible to hack the machines given the technology used and administrative procedures ensuring their secure handling.
The public demonstration of Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail machines was being done in view of the impending Assembly bypoll in Bhind.
The BJP has ruled Madhya Pradesh since December 8, 2003.