The EC has brought many reforms since its inception. “The recent cases of violation of the EC’s own norms indicate that the institution is eroding its constitutional pencil manufacturers credibility and morality. Mr Shirsat is not the sole ‘EVM basher’ or ‘hackathon’ claimer. However, their credibility has always been at stake.He added that the machines were introduced to prevent booth capturing, bogus and forceful voting. There are many such stories of the efforts taken by the EC to reach out to voters against all odds, including difficult terrain, lack of infrastructure and inadequate manpower.N. But it was not visible so far or made so obvious. There are scores like him from different political parties. Lyngdoh ruled out early elections on the grounds that the situation was not conducive for free and fair elections.

The SC pointed out the same thing while reinstating them. The issue is pending before the Supreme Court, which recently observed, “Technically, we agree that any technology can be tampered with. Social media was flooded with messages not only slamming the political leaders but also questioning the EC over thecrucial information leak.S. Lyngdoh, who took decisions against the whims and fancies of ruling parties.It was seen as an attempt to peg back then-chief EC R. Gopalaswami told the President to remove election commissioner Navin Chawla, accusing him of being guilty of ‘partnership’.V. the EVM itself was introduced to stop larger evils like booth capturing. In fact, experts and political observers are divided over the EC’s credibility and the influence of the ruling party on its functioning. A similar demand had been raised by the EC some 30 years ago but the law ministry did not accede to it. BJP leader Subramaniam Swamy had filed a petition challenging the use of EVMs in the Supreme Court in October 2013. The ministry has not replied as yet, but legal experts are sceptical about any such possibility.Is Election Commission playing favourites? THE ASIAN AGE. Seshan.As per the EC website, the institution does not allow any interference in the election process.L. However, the EC verified the issue and termed his claims as baseless.