Election Commission has convened a meeting of all recognized political parties on 12th of this month in New Delhi to discuss the issue related to Electronic Voting Machines(EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trial- VVPAT. <br/><br/>In its communication sent to the Presidents of all seven national and 48 state political parties, the Commission has also sent status paper on EVM and VVPAT.<br/><br/>A senior official in the Commission said that in addition to the EVM and VVPAT, the agenda will also cover making bribery in elections a cognisable offence, disqualification on framing of charges for the offences of bribery in elections and suggestions in VVPAT recount Rules. The poll panel has sought written response from all the parties on these issues by 7th of this month.<br/><br/>Last month, sixteen opposition parties had urged the Election Commission to revert to the paper ballot system. They say the alleged tampering has created trust deficit in the credibility of the EVMs. However, the poll body has been maintaining that EVMs are tamper proof and cannot be manipulated. <br/><br/>After the UP Assembly poll results, BSP Chief Mayawati had made allegations of EVM tampering. Later, other opposition parties joined her in raking up the issue.