The Election Commission (EC) has turned down the demand from 22 political parties to tally the VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) slips before the Electronic Voting Machines.
On Tuesday, a delegation comprising representatives of opposition parties had asked the commission to conduct the VVPAT verification process before the counting of votes begins. They also wanted that if even one discrepancy is reported in sample checks, 100 per cent matching in all polling booths of an Assembly constituency should be done.
The commission had then asked for time to consider the issue but after a meeting attended by all three Commissioners on Wednesday, the demand was rejected.
After the EC dismissed the Opposition demand to verify VVPATs before counting on Thursday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today said in a message to party workers that the next 24 hours are crucial, and they should remain cautious.
“Don’t be scared by the fake exit poll results. The next 24 hours are crucial. Remain alert and cautious and beware. Your hard work will not go waste,” Rahul said in a tweet.
