New Delhi (Sputnik): Former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday asked the country's election watchdog — the Election Commission of India — to ensure the safety and security of voting machines amid allegations of electoral voting machine (EVM) discrepancies by some political parties.
The EVMs carry the verdict of the millions of voters to determine which political alliance or party will govern India for next five years.
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The result of the general election will be announced on 23 May.
"There can be no room for speculations that challenge the very basis of our democracy. People's mandate is sacrosanct and has to be above any iota of reasonable doubt", former President Mukherjee, who demitted office in 2017.
The leaders have also pressed for their demand of tallying VVPAT slips with EVM figures in an entire state assembly poll constituency if a discrepancy is found in any polling booth.
"The onus of ensuring institutional integrity in this case lies with the Election Commission of India. They must do so and put all speculation to rest", Mukherjee added.
Please read my statement below.#CitizenMukherjee pic.twitter.com/UFXkbv06Ol
— Pranab Mukherjee (@CitiznMukherjee) May 21, 2019
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