New Delhi : Chief Election Commissioner, CEC, Sunil Arora has said despite most political parties having reposed their faith in Electronic Voting Machines(EVMs) some sections made it part of a motivated slugfest.

The CEC, who reviewed the preparedness for ensuing Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh along with Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa and other top officials, was briefing the media in Amravati last evening. CEC said there is difference between tampering and malfunctioning of EVMs and asserted that not a single case of tampering had been established so far.

On the question of demand by various parties for counting of VVPAT slips, Mr Arora said the group of experts from the Indian Statistical Organisation and National Sample Survey Organisation would submit their report soon on the possibility of counting VVPATs.

The CEC said that Commission attaches prime importance to ensuring a conducive environment for peaceful elections in the state. He said it will have zero tolerance for any instances of gross impropriety and negligence on part of officials. He said in case of ‘proven malafide’, the ECI would not hesitate to go further and launch criminal action against the errant personnel.