Chicago – January 27, 2024
In an exclusive interview, Chairman Indian Overseas Congress voiced his concerns over the recent electoral report released bi Indian Election Commission. Reiterating his concerns over possible manipulation of EVMs, Pitroda cited a report by NGO ‘The Citizens’ Commission on Elections’, chaired by former Supreme Court judge Madan B Lokur, and said that the main recommendations of the report were to modify the current design of the VVPAT system to make it truly “voter-verified”.
“I waited for the Election Commission to respond but when it didn’t happen I decided to speak. It has nothing to do with the fact that elections in five states are over and the 2024 election is coming,” Pitroda said.
“I feel there is a trust deficit based on this report. And, the Election Commission must respond to rebuild the trust,” he said.
The Election Commission is a public institution and it has to address the concerns of its citizens. If the citizens are not satisfied with the electoral process and its transparency then there is no reason for an election commission.
Pitroda, who ushered in India’s telecom revolution during Rajiv Gandhi’s government, is now, among other things, a member of a board of advisory on cyber security in the University of Chicago that also studies EVM technology.
Sam Pitroda along with his colleague will also do a zoom press conference on January 26 at 7 am India time.
