‘EVM SOP: The opposition coalition INDIA Bloc has alleged irregularities in the electoral processes and violations of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections. The coalition has decided to file an appeal in the Supreme Court, accusing the Election Commission of bias and tampering in favor of the BJP.
Decision Made in Presence of Sharad Pawar and Kejriwal
NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Prashant Jagtap disclosed the decision on Tuesday. He stated that the resolution to approach the Supreme Court was made during a meeting attended by NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal, and senior Congress leader and lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
The INDIA Bloc alleged that the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance manipulated EVMs to secure an advantage, leading to the opposition’s defeat in Maharashtra. During the meeting, Arvind Kejriwal also raised concerns about voter list discrepancies in Delhi, where Assembly elections are scheduled early next year.
Serious Allegations by the Opposition
Speaking to ANI, Prashant Jagtap said,
“The Election Commission manipulated the process to ensure BJP’s victory. We will approach the Supreme Court against this malpractice. We have full faith in the apex court and expect it to deliver a judgment against the irregularities.”
However, the Election Commission (ECI) previously clarified that there were no discrepancies between the votes cast in the Maharashtra Assembly elections and the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips. The ECI confirmed that random checks of VVPAT slips from polling booths across all constituencies matched the EVM results.
Allegations of Electoral Fraud in Haryana and Maharashtra
The INDIA Bloc accused the BJP of tampering with election processes in Haryana and Maharashtra to favor their government. The opposition claimed deliberate misuse of EVMs to distort electoral outcomes.
Gap Between Exit Polls and Results
The INDIA Bloc expressed discontent with the election results, especially given the predictions of some exit polls that suggested a decisive mandate for the opposition. Contrary to these predictions, the BJP won 48 out of 90 seats in Haryana, while Congress managed only 37. This stark contrast left Congress embarrassed, as they had already started celebrating prematurely based on exit polls.
Next Steps for the Opposition
The INDIA Bloc now aims to take the fight to the Supreme Court, seeking legal intervention to reform the electoral process and address issues with EVM usage. Opposition leaders have emphasized that this battle is essential to protect democracy and ensure fair elections in the future.
