Politics in Maharashtra have once again heated up over EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines). Opposition parties have bly criticized the decision by State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare not to use VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) in the upcoming local and municipal body elections.
Mumbai: Political activity is intensifying in Maharashtra concerning the upcoming municipal corporation and local body elections. Following the Election Commission's refusal to use VVPAT machines, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar's NCP have jointly demanded that elections be conducted using ballot papers.
Debate on EVMs and VVPAT Re-ignites
Maharashtra State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare recently announced that VVPAT machines would not be used in the upcoming municipal corporation elections. This decision has angered opposition parties, who consider it a threat to democracy and transparency. Shiv Sena (UBT) wrote in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana':
'If the use of EVMs and VVPATs delays the voting process, ballot papers should be used to protect democracy.'
Why is there a demand for Ballot Papers?
Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) believe that using EVMs without VVPAT undermines voter confidence. VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) is the system that allows voters to see if their vote has gone to the correct candidate. The question arises, if EVMs are transparent and trustworthy, then why is a verification system like VVPAT being removed? The Thackeray faction says that doubts have been raised about EVMs before, and allegations of manipulation were made during the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Allegations by the Thackeray Faction: Suspicion of 6 Lakh Votes
Shiv Sena (UBT) alleged that in the last Assembly elections, six lakh new votes were suddenly added in the last two hours of voting, which reportedly went to the BJP. The party claims that there were no crowds at the polling stations at that time, so how did the voting percentage suddenly increase? This incident raises serious questions about the reliability of EVMs, and the opposition is demanding a fair investigation into it.
The NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) has also condemned the decision to deny the use of VVPAT and demanded that elections be conducted using traditional ballot papers. A party spokesperson said: If the Election Commission does not have enough VVPATs, then returning to traditional ballots is the only option to protect democracy.
The State Election Commission has not yet given a clear decision on the return to ballot papers in the absence of VVPAT. However, the Commission argues that including VVPAT is not possible due to logistical and time challenges. But opposition parties are calling this argument an "excuse."
