Backing Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati's claim of EVM tampering in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan on Thursday said what more proof can one want when all opposition parties have come up with the same opinion.
"Somebody had to come to power. The opposition would have said something. But why the BSP, Congress is also saying the same thing? The BJP's party workers are also shocked by the result. What more proof do you want?" Khan told ANI.
Quoting the examples of other countries adopting ballot system of voting, Khan said the country, which first manufactured EVMs is itself in favour of the former electoral system.
"What is the reason that the country, which manufactured this machine, does not use it? Japan made it but ballots are used there. Europe, America all resort to ballot system," he said.
"Developed countries like Germany have set up commissions, inquiry set-ups and they have also opined that some tampering can be done and that is why they have adopted ballot system," he added.
The Samajwadi Party leader further said if various parties have expressed doubts then this should be resolved.
Earlier on March 11, Mayawati put the onus on the EVMs for her loss in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, saying the machine accepted votes only in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
"The shocking result of the assembly elections indicates that the EVMs accepted votes only in favour of the BJP," Mayawati said.
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister alleged that the EVMs were tampered with in such a way that whichever button was pressed, the vote went to the BJP.
Supporting the same, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday alleged that the EVMs were tampered during the recently conducted assembly polls in the five states which ultimately resulted in his party's dismal show especially in Punjab.
Kejriwal suggested that the Election Commission needs to relook at the use of EVMs in the electoral process until faith is restored in it.
"Many said that there is anger against the Akalis and AAP is sweeping polls, still AAP got 25 percent votes and SAD got 31 percent votes. How is it possible? Even in Malwa, we got thrashed and Congress won there. How is it possible?" Kejriwal asked.
However, the Election Commission had asserted that there is "no merit" to the BSP's complaints over the EVM possibly being tampered with.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)