32 crore Aadhaar-numbers linked to voter-IDs so far: CEC Rawat
As many as 32 crore Aadhaar numbers have been linked to voters' ID cards so far, said Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat. "Another 54.5 crore (Aadhaar numbers) will be done (linked) as soon as we get a nod from the Supreme Court," he told the media on the sidelines of the 14th National Conference of the Association for Democratic Reforms in Bengaluru. Here's more.
Karnataka's Mathew Thomas challenged Aadhaar's constitutional validity
Karnataka-based Mathew Thomas had moved the apex court in November last year challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar Act claiming that it infringes upon the Right to Privacy and the biometric mechanism was not working properly.
What about the allegations of EVM tampering?
Replying to a query on the allegations related to the tampering of the EVMs, Chief Election Commissioner Rawat said that the Commission will seriously consider credible complaints and also resolve them. Several opposition parties have questioned the reliability of the EVMs used in the recently conducted state assembly elections as they alleged that the machines were tampered with.
Will the EC use totalizer machines for counting votes?
On the use of totalizer machines for counting votes, Rawat said: "We can't (use them)...unless the rules are amended. The Supreme Court is already hearing the case." On 6 March, the SC sought EC's response on a plea seeking counting of votes using totalizer machines instead of booth-wise counting. A totalizer allows votes cast in about 14 polling booths to be counted together.
Electoral roll for Karnataka polls published last month
Replying to complaints related to Karnataka elections, Rawat said the EC's topmost priority is to deliver free, fair, and credible elections. He said the electoral roll was published on 20 February, adding people can bring any errors to the notice of the commission for correction or review. Rawat said: "Continuous updation is on. If there are any mistakes...they will be corrected or reviewed."
When are the Karnataka Assembly elections?
Denying reports quoting him as saying the dates for Karnataka assembly elections will be announced around 15 April, Rawat said it would be done at an appropriate time. "The announcement will be made in front of the media at an appropriate time," he said. "If whatever is being talked in an interview is interpreted in a different way, one can't really help," he added.
