NCP-SCP leader Rohit Pawar has called for a transparent investigation into allegations of EVM tampering following the recent Maharashtra assembly elections. Pawar challenged the Election Commission to allow opposition parties and technical experts to examine voting machines in the presence of media. He argued that clearing doubts about EVM security would restore public trust in the electoral process.
"I would challenge the Election Commission, in 2017, you had allowed the opposition parties to do some investigation with the EVM but what had happened was that you specifically told not to touch the EVM. So I would request as a citizen of this country to touch the EVM and that too, any EVM which we say and that should happen in front of the media. We will bring our technical team, all opposition parties and those in power will also be there, just give us 15 minutes…," Pawar told ANI.
"Doubts need to be cleared and once it is cleared that the machine is foolproof, then no one will speak against EVM or Election Commission but to clear those doubts at least one opportunity has to be given…we are just saying what people are talking about…," he added.
Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer, S Chockalingam, has warned of strict legal action against individuals spreading false claims about EVM tampering. This statement comes in response to allegations raised by Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders regarding potential malpractices during the recent Maharashtra assembly elections.
Chockalingam emphasized that any attempts to sensationalize these matters will be dealt with severely as authorities intensify investigations into the issue. The Election Commission has filed an FIR against Syed Shuja, who is reportedly residing abroad and has sent letters to relevant authorities to ensure the matter is pursued. Delhi and Mumbai Police are actively investigating and taking necessary steps to identify and apprehend anyone within India who is in contact with such individuals or complicit in these malicious activities.
The official stressed that such actions are a serious offence, and no one involved will be spared. Earlier, Maharashtra NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Jayant Patil raised concerns about the use of EVMs in the recent assembly elections, questioning the rise in voter turnout after 5 pm. He called for the return of ballot papers to restore public trust in the electoral process.
"Even though our numbers are less, we will continue to raise questions. In the recent elections, voting increased in Maharashtra after 5 pm. This is a matter of concern. While the EVM is a simple calculator, it increases the vote count automatically at night. This is a critical issue that must be addressed. The Election Commission of India appears to be hiding something," Patil said.
Demanding the return of ballot papers, he added, "Ballot papers must replace EVMs because they will also restore people's trust in the system. The voting percentage will decline if people do not trust the system."
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a major setback in the recently held Maharashtra elections. Congress won just 16 out of 288 assembly seats. Its alliance partner, Shiv Sena (UBT), won 20 seats, while the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) secured only 10 seats. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance emerged victorious with 132 seats, while its allies, the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and the NCP led by Ajit Pawar, secured 57 and 41 seats, respectively.
