NEW DELHI, Feb 4 : Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) reiterating its opposition to the use of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), urged the Election Commission (EC) to keep out local officials from the examination process of the machine. Participating in the discussion convened by the EC, the AGP, which was represented by former Union Minister, Biren Baishya and Dr Kamala Kalita raised a host of issues ranging from EVMs to restricted use of helicopters.
Several regional parties from the North Eastern Region (NER), including Mizo National Front (MNF), Nagaland's People Front (NPF), Asom United Democratic Front (AUDF) among others, participated in the meeting called to take the views of the national-and state parties ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
At the meeting, AGP MPs conveyed that the Regional Party nursed deep suspicion over the use of the EVMs, as there were series of allegations against misuse of these machines in the State. "We have apprehension that the elections using EVMs would not be free and fair," Baishya told this newspaper after the meeting.
Urging the EC to discuss the issue seriously, Baishya communicated that AGP was totally against use the services of the local officials during the examination process of the EVMs.
AGP's deep-seated apprehension over the neutrality of the local officials was further reflected, when Baishya opposed a Congress Party-sponsored proposal to allow presence of only poll officials in polling stations, which had space problem.
Alleging that there were lots of instances in Assam, where poll officials have misused their power, Baishya cited the case of C.K.Sarma, without naming him to buttress his argument. The official, who was the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the State, had misused his power during the election of the local bodies including panchayat polls, he alleged.
Subsequently, he has resigned from his post and has now formally joined the Congress Party, added Baishya.
On the misuse of the EVMs, AGP found support of the Trinamool Congress and Jayalalitha led AIADMK, both of which expressed their apprehension about the possibility of rigging by the ruling party.
The AGP also insisted that the illegal migrants should not be allowed to vote and their names should be struck off the rolls. The indication of the Party was to the 'D' category voters in the State.
The AGP also wanted polls before the Bihu festival and onset of the Monsoon season.
Meanwhile, the regional party, which has been purportedly reeling under huge financial crisis, fear that the ruling Congress might steal a march over them by making rampant use of helicopters during campaigning.
Baishya said they have requested the EC to put a limit on the use of the helicopters and air services. Unlimited use of these is against the spirit of democracy, he contended.
In the last election, the Samajvadi Party and Telegu Desam Party bailed out AGP, which was part of the defunct UNPA. The Regional Party was 'lent' couple of copters and executive jets by SP general secretary, Amar Singh and the resourceful N Chandra Babu Naidu.
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