Stepping up their campaign against the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the Opposition parties in Maharashtra announced on Friday that they would take out an all-party morcha in Mumbai on August 21, to protest against the genuineness of the
EVMs and demand the use of ballot papers in the State Assembly polls to be held in October this year.
Addressing a joint news conference here, the leaders of the Congress, NCP, MNS, Peasants and Workers’ Party (PWP), CPI, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, Janata Dal (U) and some prominent individuals said that as part of their “EVM-VVPAT hatao” campaign, they would submit a memorandum to the State Election Commission on August 21.
They said that all parties would create awareness about the adverse impact of faulty and defective EVMs by undertaking door-to-door campaigns across the state. “Our volunteers will visit people at their homes and get questionnaires filled by them. Once we get all the questionnaires back from people, we will submit the same to the Election Commission,” MNS chief Raj Thackeray said.
Demanding the use of ballot papers in the Assembly elections, NCP’s former deputy Chief Mister Ajit Pawar said:
“We want the elections to be held with ballot papers. We are appealing to people to support us in our campaign. The elections should be held in a transparent manner. The people should known whom they voted.
“Our agitation is extremely important from the point of view of democracy. The responsibility about removing misunderstanding about EVMs and VVPATs lies with the Election Commission and the Government,” State Congress President Balasaheb Thorat said.
Swabhiman Shetkari Sanghatana President Raju Shetti said that a return to ballot paper was imperative for bringing ‘total transparency’ in the electoral process.”We appeal to all village panchayats to pass a resolution on Aug. 15 for banning EVMs and reintroduce the ballot paper system,” Shetti said.