EVMs are not sacrosanct

First of all let me make it very clear that I am not challenging the results of UP elections. But as happened previously when many parties, including the BJP, had challenged the authenticity of the EVMs, at least, Mayawati has suggested that the EVMs used in the UP elections had been rigged. Any person with a technical knowledge knows that EVMs are not sacrosanct, and they can be rigged in various ways.

Check  the following links
https://indiaevm.org/
http://m.indiatoday.in/story/election-result-uttar-pradesh-election-evm-mayawati/1/902494.html
https://www.scoopwhoop.com/not-just-mayawati-herere-several-others-who-have-raised-doubts-over-credibility-of-evms/#.exo6uu2oi

There are currently provisions for checking frauds in the EVMs. The first check happens during the commissioning of the EVMs, that is when the number of candidates is set in an EVM. Since this is tedious process, the ECI makes a provision of mock votes up to 50. Agents of political parties can check whether the EVM functions properly up to 50 votes. Similarly, on the poll day another Mock Poll with 50 votes is held. However, during the commissioning of the EVMs,  only an insignificant number of EVMs are selected randomly where a thorough checking happens. Now, the question is if fraud can be done or not! If a software is installed which registers only one party's vote after 500 votes, say, can that be checked at the moment? As I said in my earlier comments, the agents of political parties lack stamina to go whole hog during the random checking, they can be fooled.  Even a fraud can be done during the so called random selection process. But this involves a massive conspiracy, which might not have happened. But acknowledging the possibility of malpractices, the ECI introduced VVPAT.

VVPAT Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is a method of providing feedback to voters. It’s completely an independent verification system. For those uninitiated, VVPAT is a printer-like machine attached to every EVM that allows voters to verify that their vote has been cast correctly. Once a voter presses button of his choice in the EVM, a printed paper appears containing the name of the candidate and poll symbol so that he can verify it. After the voter views the receipt it goes inside a container linked to the EVM, which can be accessed only by the polling officers. This latest system is one step further towards prevention of electoral fraud.

 See more at: http://www.elections.in/political-corner/what-is-vvpat-voter-verified-paper-audit-trail/#sthash.Fh52K7c5.dpuf

But, VVPAT is very costly. In that sense, my idea is more radical. I am saying let there be VVPAT in, say, 1% of booths to check frauds immediately. But let there be provision in the act for the political parties to inspect a certain number of EVMs after the results, which they think were faulty. The inspection must be done by a statutory board. However, political parties can take the help of their own experts, whether national or international. If their claim is proved to be true, the election should be declared null and void. If their claim happens to be false, they must pay a heavy penalty.

Pictures taken from the net 

Election results, Modi and Demonetization

                                             Election results, Modi and Demonetization

As I write this blog, the complete results are not out yet. But, it has become evident that BJP has got a clean sweep in both UP and Uttarakhand, and the Congress has got a clean sweep in Punjab. The Congress and the BJP are going neck and neck in both Manipur and Goa at the moment. Now how should we interpret the results? Before starting the analysis, I must say that I am a neutral observer. I give issue based supports. For example, on demonetization and cow-slaughter ban I don't support the BJP.

Now, first of all let me say that the UP and Uttarakhand results should not be seen as an endorsement of demonetization. On the ground level, a lot of people had suffered a lot of pain and despair due to demonetization. However, the suffering has not been reflected in the results. The polarisation has outweighed the suffering. The BJP might have fanned the polarisation and got benefitted from it, but they cannot be blamed for it. The blatant partial administration of the SP has been the root cause of this polarisation. Hindus felt unsafe under the pro-Muslim SP rule, and if in their own country they are made feeling unsafe, they revolt. This was seen in the 2014 LS election results. But, the SP seemed to have taken no  lessons from it. Akhilesh might have thought that aligning with the Congress would clear the doubts among the Muslims in choosing between him and Behan ji -- and he was not wrong in doing so --  but he hadn't considered that there would be a reverse consolidation, too. So, I think the UP election was neither about development, nor about demonetization. It was about self-respect of Hindus. They couldn't live as a second class citizen in their own backyard. So, lesson for the secular parties: Don't mistreat Hindus.

In Uttarakhand, the main issue was corruption. The Congress government was seen as indulging in corruption. So, lesson for the secular parties: Don't indulge in corruption.

In Punjab, the corruption of the ruling parties was a big issue, and no wonder like in Uttarakhand, the public has booted the ruling party out. The AAP was a big player there, but their radical agenda might have scared the Hindus, who voted overwhelmingly for the Congress. The Congress should also note that how having a strong local leader like Amrinder Singh helps! So, they must encourage the local leadership.

In the all India level, Modi's seemingly diminishing stature will once again rise. He will take full credit for the victory and will like to interpret the results as an endorsement to his demonetization policy. He may aggressively like to continue with his cashless economy policy.

As far as the Congress is concerned, I think it's high time to launch their best weapon, Priyanka Gandhi. On the ground,  people have lost jobs due to demonetization, they have suffered a lot. The GDP will show a dip in the 4th quarter. The banks have already started exploiting the public in the name of cashless economy. The Congress must work continuously and build pressure on every anti-people policy of this government.

Pictures taken from the Internet