SC verdict on VVPAT big blow to those who wanted to loot ballot boxes: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Supreme Court judgment on cross-verification of votes was a huge setback for opposition's INDIA bloc.

Addressing an election rally in Bihar, the Prime Minister accused the opposition of sowing doubts about the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the minds of the people.

"Today, when the whole world is praising India's democracy, the country's election process, and the use of technology in elections, these people were busy defaming EVM for their personal interests," PM Modi said.

"Look at the power of the country's democracy and Baba Saheb Ambedkar's Constitution, today the Supreme Court has given such a severe blow to those who wanted to loot the ballot boxes that all their dreams have been shattered. Today the Supreme Court has clearly said that the old era of ballot paper will not return," he added.

Prime Minister drew a contrast between the objectives of the NDA and the INDIA bloc, asserting that while the NDA aims to empower the people, the INDIA bloc seeks to exploit the nation and its citizens for their own benefit.

Earlier today, the Supreme Court rejected all petitions seeking 100% cross-verification of votes cast using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips.

The order was passed by a bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, who emphasized that democracy thrives on harmony and trust among its various institutions. The Supreme Court has granted an option to candidates to get the microcontroller program of EVMs to be checked by a team of engineers after the declaration of results, such a request is to be made by the candidate within seven days after the declaration of results.