EVM is ‘information’ under Right to Information Act, rule Central Information Commission

  1. Central Information Commission(CIC),the highest appellate body for the RTI applicants has ruled that an  Electronic Voting Machine(EVM) is an “information” under the Right to Information Act and can be demanded by an applicant from the Election Commission of India.It said that EVM which is available with the Election Commission is in a material form and also as samples is an information under the RTI Act.
  2. Section 2(f) of the RTI Act defines ‘Information’ as any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force.
  3. Right to information act,2005 provides for timely disclosure of information by citizens from both central and State Public Authorities. The act seeks to empower citizens and promote accountability and transparency