Congress Intensifies Call for Ballot Papers in Maharashtra Local Elections
In a significant political development, the Congress party has renewed its vigorous demand for a return to traditional ballot papers in Maharashtra's upcoming local body elections. The call comes from former Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president and Sakoli MLA Nana Patole, who has formally urged authorities to abandon electronic voting machines (EVMs) for the imminent Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls.
Letter to State Authorities Highlights Election System Concerns
Patole articulated his concerns in a detailed letter addressed to the state election commissioner and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He pointed to the recently concluded elections for 29 municipal corporations as evidence that has "completely torn the veil off the election system." According to Patole, the low voter turnout observed in urban areas should not be misinterpreted as public apathy. Instead, he argued, it reflects a deeper issue of declining public trust in the electoral machinery.
"The extremely low turnout is an indicator of eroding confidence among voters. People have lost trust in EVMs," Patole emphasized in his communication, as reported by TOI. He questioned why Maharashtra continues to rely on EVMs when several other states have already reverted to ballot papers to avoid disputes and maintain the credibility of the electoral process.
Administrative Lapses and Transparency Issues Flagged
Beyond the EVM debate, Patole highlighted what he described as serious administrative lapses during the civic polls. These included discrepancies in voter lists, confusion over polling booth locations, and instances where voters spent hours searching for their designated booths only to return without casting their votes. Such logistical failures, he contended, further undermine public confidence.
Raising additional concerns over transparency, the former Speaker noted the absence of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system in municipal elections. This omission, he said, denies voters the fundamental right to verify that their votes have been correctly recorded. Patole also cited complaints that the indelible ink used during polling could be easily washed off, fueling further doubts about the integrity of the entire electoral process.
Warning About Long-Term Consequences for Democracy
Describing Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections as the backbone of democracy, Patole issued a stern warning. He cautioned that conducting these crucial local body polls amid widespread mistrust could have severe long-term consequences for democratic governance in the state. "The foundation of our democracy rests on fair and transparent elections. If people lose faith at the grassroots level, it jeopardizes the entire democratic structure," he implied in his appeal.
In light of these multifaceted concerns, Patole's letter culminates in a firm plea for authorities to scrap EVMs and reinstate ballot papers for the upcoming local elections. This move, he believes, is essential to restore public trust, ensure transparency, and uphold the democratic ethos of Maharashtra's electoral system.
