News Excerpt:

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has expressed “severe displeasure” over the Election Commission (EC) not furnishing a reply to an RTI plea raising questions on the credibility of EVMs and VVPAT machines.

Background of the case:

• Noted technical professionals and academicians, including retired IAS, IPS, and IFS officers, had written to the EC, posing serious questions about the credibility of EVMs and VVPAT machines.
• An RTI was also filed that asked the EC about the action taken on a “representation” given to it by eminent citizens.
• The representation raised similar questions on the credibility of EVMs and VVPAT machines.
• Through the RTI application filed in November 2022, the applicant wanted to know about the persons and public authorities to whom the representation was forwarded, details of any meetings held on the issue and all relevant file notings.

EC’s response to the RTI:

• The EC did not give any response to the applicant within the mandatory 30-day period.
• The applicant's first appeal to senior officials was also not heard.

Central Information Commission’s directions:

• The CIC termed the EC’s non-response as a “gross violation” of the law and directed it to furnish a written explanation for the violation.
• The EC has also been asked to provide a point-wise response to the original Right to Information query within 30 days.