Sharad Pawar Raises Concerns Over EVM Discrepancies in Maharashtra Elections, Sparks Political Debate

NEW DELHI: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar has raised serious concerns about potential discrepancies in the votes recorded by Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections. However, Pawar clarified that he did not possess concrete evidence to substantiate his claims.

Pawar, while speaking to ANI, acknowledged a difference in the votes of EVMs but stressed that he lacked proof at present. There is some difference in the votes of EVMs, but at the moment, I do not have any proof in this regard, he stated.

The NCP leader noted that several candidates had requested recounts of their votes, but he expressed skepticism about the process. Whatever is possible in this matter will be done. Some have applied for recounting, but I do not have much hope from this, he added.

Opposition leaders, including those from the Congress, have repeatedly raised questions about the reliability of EVMs, particularly after significant defeats for the opposition INDIA bloc in the recent Haryana and Maharashtra elections. The allegations of EVM tampering have fueled growing discontent within opposition circles.

Pawar also spoke about the current state of parliamentary democracy, criticizing the ruling government for failing to address the concerns of 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.

In his remarks, Pawar also accused the ruling parties in Maharashtra of using state resources and power to influence the electoral process. This is unprecedented, both at the state and national levels, he remarked during a visit to senior activist Dr Baba Adhav, who has been protesting alleged EVM manipulation.

The Congress Party, already critical of the Election Commission and the use of EVMs, has intensified its calls for reform. On Friday, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) alleged that the integrity of the entire electoral process is being severely compromised. The party announced its intention to launch a national movement aimed at addressing these concerns.

Congress leader Pawan Khera also questioned the reliability of EVMs in a country vulnerable to data breaches and leaks, adding fuel to the ongoing debate about the security and transparency of electronic voting systems.

The controversy comes after a significant setback for the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in the Maharashtra elections, where Congress won only 16 out of 288 seats. Its allies, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), secured 20 and 10 seats, respectively.