Alleging manipulation in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) during the recently held Maharashtra assembly polls, the Samajwadi Janta Parishad (SJP) has demanded that the assembly elections be reconducted using ballot papers.
Briefing the press, the SJP state president, Adv Vishnu Dhoble, said, “The Mahayuti gained the majority in the recently held assembly polls, and the opposition parties did not even receive enough seats to elect a leader of opposition in the state assembly. Such a situation has never occurred in the politics of the state. Not a single exit poll predicted such confusing results.”
“Moreover, there was no popularity wave in the state for the Mahayuti that could produce such drastic results. There were no such conditions in the state that would give such a huge majority to the ruling alliance, as the people in the state were grappling with issues like the price hike of essential commodities, women’s safety, corruption allegations, and the misuse of government authorities. Hence, there is scope for suspicion over the entire election process and the working of the EVM,” the party added.
SJP has appealed to the elected MLAs of opposition parties to resign, and for a mass movement to be launched for a re-election.
“Several questions are being raised over the use of EVMs in elections in the country, yet the union and state governments continue to use them. The Election Commission should take cognizance of this and conduct the re-election in Maharashtra using ballot papers,” Adv Dhoble demanded.
