NEW DELHI: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar raised concerns over possible discrepancies in the votes recorded by Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections. However, he added that he did not have concrete evidence to back these claims.
“There is some difference in the votes of EVMs, but at the moment, I do not have any proof in this regard,” Pawar was quoted by ANI as saying.
He noted that some candidates had demanded recounts, adding, “Whatever is possible in this matter will be done. Some have applied for recounting, but I do not have much hope from this.”
Opposition leaders, including those from the Congress, have repeatedly raised questions about the integrity of the EVMs. These concerns were amplified after a massive loss for the opposition INDIA bloc in the Haryana and Maharashtra elections.
He also criticised the current state of Parliamentary democracy, pointing to the persistent dissatisfaction among citizens and opposition leaders. “The elections have made people restless and disappointed. Every day, at 11:00 am, opposition leaders raise questions in Parliament, but their demands are not being accepted. This clearly shows that Parliamentary democracy is not being followed properly,” he said.
Pawar further criticised the ruling parties in Maharashtra, accusing them of misusing power and financial resources to manipulate the electoral process. “This is unprecedented, both at the state and national levels,” he said during his visit to senior activist Dr Baba Adhav, who has been protesting the alleged manipulation of EVMs.
Congress has intensified its criticism of the Election Commission and the use of EVMs. The Congress Working Committee (CWC) stated on Friday, alleging that the “integrity of the entire electoral process is being severely compromised.” The party announced plans to launch a national movement to address these issues.
Congress leader Pawan Khera also questioned the reliability of machines in a country prone to data breaches and leaks.
The criticism follows a significant setback for the Maha Vikas Aghadi in the Maharashtra elections. The Congress won only 16 of 288 seats, while its allies, Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), secured 20 and 10 seats, respectively.
