Mayawati questions EVM credibility, says voters want return to ballot papers

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Thursday questioned the credibility of elections conducted through electronic voting machines, alleging that EVMs were being used to influence free and fair voting, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

Mayawati claimed that a large section of the population wanted elections to be conducted using ballot papers again. Her remarks came after a meeting of the BSP's Uttar Pradesh unit office-bearers in Lucknow.

In a statement, Mayawati said the BSP was the first party to oppose the use of EVMs after concerns emerged over the credibility of the voting process.

"After the BSP ensured unity and awareness among the Bahujan Samaj, a new method was allegedly devised to influence free and fair voting by using EVMs as a weapon," she said.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said that when the BSP first raised concerns about the system, opposition parties and groups favouring the existing establishment did not appreciate its stand.

"Today, most people in the country do not consider the EVM-based system prima facie to be compatible with a free and fair electoral process and are demanding restoration of the earlier arrangement of conducting elections through ballot papers," Mayawati said.

She also alleged that the Congress had a widely known tainted record in matters related to electoral malpractice.

Mayawati linked the credibility of elections to broader political, social and economic challenges, including poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, the forced migration of landless people and other workers from villages, examination irregularities and corruption at different levels.

"The fundamental reason behind the country's political, social and economic system becoming hollow is the absence of a completely credible, independent, impartial and accountable electoral system," she said.

Mayawati said the issue had been a longstanding concern for the BSP since the tenure of Congress-led governments and remained a major reason for the party's political struggle.

She also referred to Generation Z's participation in raising the issue, saying young people had given it a new direction and turned it into a prominent public concern.

"Efforts are being made at every level to suppress this issue. But is it appropriate to extinguish fire with fire?" she asked.

The BSP chief alleged that money and muscle power, misuse of government machinery and the criminalisation of politics had long affected elections. She stressed the need for an independent, impartial and credible voting process, saying electoral integrity was essential to protect the interests of the poor, workers and unemployed youth.

According to PTI, Mayawati was addressing a meeting of BSP functionaries from the state, divisions and districts, including the presidents of all 75 districts. The meeting was called to review the party's preparations for the forthcoming Uttar Pradesh elections.

Her comments came amid allegations by opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, over EVMs, revisions of electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission.

In Uttar Pradesh, allegations of irregularities in Pilibhit's electoral rolls have led to scrutiny and action against officials. The state election office on Wednesday announced a special voter enrolment drive under the Special Summary Revision-2027, focusing on eligible young people and women whose names are missing from the rolls.

Mayawati reiterated the BSP's demand for a credible and impartial electoral system, arguing that concerns over EVMs and electoral practices had become a wider public issue.- Ends