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The resounding defeat of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections has ignited a firestorm of controversy, leading to plans for a nationwide protest against the alleged manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The MVA, a coalition comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), attributes its significant loss to irregularities in the EVM system. Their crushing defeat, with the MVA securing only 49 out of 288 seats, stands in stark contrast to the Mahayuti alliance's (BJP, Shinde Sena, and Ajit Pawar NCP) landslide victory of 235 seats. The BJP’s unprecedented win of 132 seats has further fueled the MVA's suspicion, leading them to believe that the EVM system played a crucial role in the outcome.
The MVA's discontent extends beyond mere accusations. Leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar have initiated the formation of legal teams at both state and national levels to investigate the matter and explore legal avenues to challenge the results. Their primary aim is to advocate for a return to the traditional ballot paper system, a move that has been vehemently rejected by the Supreme Court earlier this year. The NCP, under Sharad Pawar's leadership, has urged its defeated candidates to request a detailed analysis of the VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) records to corroborate the official vote counts. Senior NCP members have openly alleged electoral fraud during the counting process, escalating the tension and fueling the opposition's calls for a more transparent electoral system. This sentiment is echoed by the Congress, which also experienced a dismal performance, winning only 16 out of 101 contested seats, further solidifying their belief in EVM manipulation.
The opposition's distrust of EVMs is not a recent phenomenon. Similar accusations have been leveled by the MVA and other opposition parties following previous electoral setbacks, notably the Haryana Assembly election last month. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge openly demanded a return to ballot papers, drawing parallels with the United States electoral system. This echoes the sentiments of Nana Patole, the former chief of the Congress's state unit, who resigned following the election results and voiced strong criticism of the EVM system, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the matter. However, these allegations have been met with strong rebuttal from the ruling BJP. Devendra Fadnavis, expected to become the next Chief Minister, pointed to the Congress’ win in Jharkhand as evidence against claims of systemic EVM manipulation. The BJP’s argument hinges on the inconsistency of opposition accusations, suggesting that EVM issues are only raised when the opposition loses.
Adding fuel to the fire, Prime Minister Narendra Modi obliquely criticized the opposition parties, highlighting their repeated electoral losses and preemptively accusing them of disrupting parliamentary proceedings. This statement further intensified the political rhetoric surrounding the EVM controversy, highlighting the deep-seated political divisions and the stakes involved in the ongoing debate. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has also responded to the opposition's allegations, particularly after the Haryana election, criticizing the Congress for making 'baseless allegations' and warning against 'unfounded and sensational complaints'. This underscores the ongoing tension between the opposition and the ECI, and highlights the challenges in resolving the EVM controversy, which has become a recurring feature in the aftermath of major elections. The Supreme Court's dismissal of a plea to revert to ballot papers, citing the lack of evidence of EVM tampering in opposition victories, adds another layer of complexity to the issue, leaving the MVA's planned protest as a significant event in the ongoing political discourse.
The controversy surrounding EVMs raises fundamental questions about the integrity and transparency of the electoral process in India. The opposition's persistent claims of manipulation, despite the ECI's denials and the Supreme Court's ruling, necessitate a thorough examination of the existing system. The debate highlights the need for increased transparency and accountability in the electoral process, to ensure that public trust in the fairness and accuracy of elections remains intact. The planned national protest by the MVA represents a significant escalation of this ongoing political battle, and its impact on the future of Indian elections remains to be seen. Further scrutiny of VVPAT data and improved mechanisms for verifying election results are crucial steps in addressing the concerns raised by the opposition and maintaining faith in the democratic process.
Source: Still Fuming After Maharashtra Loss, Maha Aghadi To Launch Anti-EVM Protest