Presence Of Political Nominees On BEL; EAS Sarma Writes To Election Commission (Image: ECI)Former secretary to the Government of India, EAS Sarma, has written to the Election Commission of India over the appointment of political nominees on the board of Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL). EAS Sarma says that at least four BJP’s nominees have been nominated to be “independent” directors on the board of BEL. It is worth mentioning that electronic voting machines (EVMs) are designed, developed, and manufactured by Bharat Electronic Ltd. and Electronics Corporation of India Ltd.
The former secretary, in a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (EC), said that the BJP, as a political party, has an important role in running the affairs of the BEL. In the letter posted by Moneylife on their website, EAS Sarma says that “BJP continues to supervise the functioning of the BEL.” Sarma also noted that BEL is a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE), and it is engaged in the manufacture and supply of the EVMs, including the development of the “secret” encrypted source code. Notably, this is embedded in the chips that form the core of the EVMs.
In the letter, Sarma also said that he had already brought the attention of the Election Commission to this matter. “I find that the ECI, for reasons best known to it, has deliberately chosen not to act, suggesting that the Commission remains unconcerned about the level playing ground in elections being brazenly tilted in favour of the ruling BJP!” said EAS Sarma in the letter, as quoted by Moneylife.
“He is presently holding the post of BJP Rajkot District President,” displays the BEL website as the background of one of the independent directors, Mansukhbhai Shamjibhai Khachariya. Sarma also pointed out this matter and asked whether the Election Commission finds it highly objectionable for an office bearer of the BJP to be nominated to the BEL’s Board. He also said that, as per the Companies Act, an independent director should play a major role in managing the affairs of the company.
The former secretary said that several countries have stopped using the EVMs, and there have been instances of malfunctioning EVMs. He also said that the Election Commission is “closing its eyes to the harsh reality.” EAS Sarma said that apart from Mansukhbhai Shamjibhai Khachariya, there are at least three other independent directors “who have an affiliation with the BJP.”
EAS Sarma also asked the EC to direct the concerned authorities to revoke the directorship of party-affiliated persons from BEL’s board. Sarma also asked the EC to place the details of the action taken by it in the public domain. “I sincerely hope that the Commission will not let down the nation at least in this case!” added Sarma in the letter.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders have also raised concerns on this matter. “If Bharat Electronics Ltd, the Company that manufactures EVM, has BJP Office bearers & Nominees as Directors, Are #EVM ‘s safe?” wrote Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on his X handle on January 30. The Congress leader also asked why the Election Commission is “silent” on this matter.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticised EC over the issue. “It is a crying shame that ECI has continued to brazenly ignore these issues – whether it is VVPAT or BEL,” posted Priyanka Chaturvedi on her X handle. The Shiv Sena (UBT) MP also said that the votes should be counted transparently and without chances of manipulation.