- By Imran Zafar
- Mon, 25 Nov 2024 03:15 PM (IST)
- Source:PTI
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday called for a re-election in Maharashtra using ballot papers, alleging widespread irregularities in the electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the recent assembly elections, which resulted in a landslide victory of BJP-NDA coalition in the state.
Sanjay Raut claimed that over 450 complaints of EVM malfunctioning had been lodged, but no action was taken. He questioned the credibility of the election results, in which the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) won just 46 seats. The Shiv Sena (UBT) managed only 20 seats out of the 95 it contested.
Pointing to specific incidents, Raut cited a case in Nashik where a candidate reportedly received only four votes despite having 65 family members who claimed to vote for him. Similarly, in Dombivli, discrepancies in EVM tallies were allegedly dismissed by election officials.
"How can we call this a fair election? I demand the results be annulled and fresh elections be conducted with ballot papers," Raut stated. He also raised doubts about the landslide victories of certain candidates, including those who had recently defected to the ruling coalition, questioning the authenticity of their significant vote counts.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader stated that even senior leaders like Sharad Pawar had expressed concerns about EVM reliability. He rejected suggestions that the MVA’s dismal performance was due to internal rifts, asserting that the alliance functioned as a united front.
Blaming "unconstitutional practices, system misuse and unresolved judicial issues," Raut accused the Mahayuti of orchestrating an unfair election. He maintained that discrepancies in EVMs and procedural violations undermined the electoral process.