Pune/Nagpur: The use of EVMs in elections and the rolling out of popular schemes just before polls to bag votes has riled a section of social activists in Pune. Pune-based social worker Baba Adhav said, “Distribution of money and goods to voters before the election went unchallenged by the Election Commission of India.” On Tuesday, he announced a hunger strike from Thursday to “safeguard constitutional principles” during the 75th Constitution Day celebration at Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Samata Pratishthan.
Adhav added that he has observed elections since 1952 and has been a part of them. “But I never witnessed such blatant corruption. Announcing govt schemes to distribute money just before the election with no objections from the EC is among them,” he said.
Activist and lawyer Asim Sarode expressed suspicion about the poll outcome and claimed the possibility of EVM hacking cannot be ruled out. Sarode said, “Whoever the winning or losing political party is, the EVM is always under suspicion. In the beginning, political leaders would raise objections about use of EVMs, but now it is becoming a public disagreement while accepting election results.”
Dishonest insiders and other criminals with access to machines can tamper with EVMs for political gains, Sarode said.
Some political parties have already said they want a return to paper ballots after the results of the state assembly election but the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed such a plea. The court observed that allegations of EVM tampering often stem from losing candidates and directed the petitioner to approach the appropriate authorities with grievances.
All MVA partners in Pune addressed a joint press conference accusing the Mahayuti of “tampering” with EVMs. MVA leaders said developed countries have not ruled out the possibility of EVM tampering so, the Union govt should go back to paper ballots for the upcoming civic elections.
The leaders of NCP’s (SP) Pune unit, along with other leaders of MVA, on Wednesday said that they don’t accept the outcome of the state poll and object to the results and use of EVMs. A meeting of defeated MVA candidates was held on Wednesday.
State Congress president Nana Patole announced on Wednesday a statewide signature campaign in Nagpur demanding paper ballot-based elections. Appeals will be submitted to the President, PM and CJI.
Patole said that this decision aligns with Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge’s call for a movement to save democracy.
He added, “People feel their votes are being misappropriated. Congress will kick off a statewide signature campaign. Rahul Gandhi ji will lead a national march, advocating paper ballot-based elections.”