EC of India had to drop its plan to demonstrate working of the prototype of the remote voting machine RVMs because many political parties invited to a meeting in New Delhi to witness its functioning questioned its need.
The new machine was developed by poll panel in association with ECIL- Electronic Corporation of India Limited to allow domestic migrants to cast votes without having to travel to their respective home constituencies.
Recently the Congress leader Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said that most opposition parties have decided to oppose the Election Commission’s proposal on remote electronic voting machines or RVMs as it is sketchy and not concrete. He added that the proposal for RVMs raises political concerns, including a lack of clarity around the definition of migrant laborers. Commission has called demonstration to showcase concept of remote EVMs for migrant voters to representatives of political parties.
Samajwadi Party, Dravida Munnethra Kazhagam and Trinamool Congress also opposed the move. However, the ruling BJP extended support to poll panel.
Some parties suggested that demonstration should be held in states instead of New Delhi, as it would enable views of wider political spectrum.
EC had on 29th December wrote to the political parties, seeking views on RVM and on a concept note on the issue of allowing migrants to vote remotely.