New Delhi: The Election Commission is set to invite technocrats, scientists and representatives of political parties and give them a shot at tampering with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in a bid to prove they are fool-proof.

"We invite technocrats, scientists and political parties to demonstrate (tampering EVMs). We had thrown open challenge to all naysayers in August 2009 as well. But none could prove or demonstrate -ECI EVMs tamperablilty," a source told CNN-News18.

The move comes in response to Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal’s challenge to the poll panel wherein he asked for 72 hours to prove that EVM machines can be tampered with.

"Give us 72 hours... I will reveal the software, and tell you how it can be tempered with," Kejriwal said in a press conference on Monday. He also demanded that the upcoming MCD voting in New Delhi be conducted on paper ballots.

Kejriwal also claimed that in Madhya Pradesh's Bhind bypolls, the EC is deploying the same EVMs that were used in Uttar Pradesh polls, which several non-BJP parties say were tampered with.

"A particular machine showed BJP winning and now even the EC has accepted that the machine had come from UP," the AAP leader said, adding that as per law these machines cannot be used before April 26.

AAP has also accused the Election Commission of siding with the BJP, and not functioning as an independent body. “EC is not behaving like a neutral body. They are behaving like an ally of the BJP,” AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj had said.

Refuting the allegations, the Election Commission has told the AAP that instead of blaming EVMs, the party should introspect on the reasons for its defeat in Punjab. The Commission said the electronic voting machines (EVMs) are kept in a strong room after results are announced till the 45-day period of filing of election petition by any of the candidates is over.

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