Acting on the suggestion of political parties for a paper backup in Electronic Voting Machines to enhance people's confidence, the Election Commission has decided to refer the issue to its Technical Expert Committee.

The Commission has decided to refer to the Technical Expert Committee for detailed examination of 'voter verifiable paper trail' in EVMs in all its aspects through a process of wide consultation, the EC said in a press note today.

The three-member committee headed by P V Indiresan, former Director of IIT, Madras, would submit its report to the EC for consideration.

The EC has decided to refer the issue to the Committee following demands by some political parties including BJP for a paper trail on the use of EVMs to enhance the confidence of the voters.

Besides use of EVMs, the Commission during the meeting with political parties early this week had discussed such as money power in elections, paid news in connection with elections and criminalisation of politics.

Political parties appreciated the measures and recognised the fact that EVMs have been used effectively in elections for more than a decade, the EC said adding there was consensus among parties for the continued use of EVMs.

On the issue of abuse of money power in elections, the EC said there was consensus among political parties that the instructions of the Commission should be implemented with firmness and cases should be pursued vigorously to book offenders.

The EC also appealed to the parties to exercise self regulation and restraint with regard to expenditure, it said.