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From delays in election announcements to alleged EVM tampering, leaders of the opposition, activists and people of Maharashtra are arguing that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has failed to uphold its constitutional duty of ensuring free and fair elections. Accusations range from strategic postponements favouring the BJP to technical irregularities in voting data that cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the results.

Adding to this controversy are the public protests and political demands for a return to paper ballots, with several leaders suggesting that EVMs have compromised electoral integrity. These claims are not isolated; they are part of a broader pattern of growing scepticism about the credibility of electronic voting systems in India.

Below we have provided a list of such instances of disproportionate vote surges and the constituency-level irregularities that have surfaced till now. As calls for transparency and accountability grow louder, the debate over the Maharashtra elections raises fundamental questions about the health of India’s democracy and the trustworthiness of its electoral processes.

Electoral irregularities: A crisis of credibility

The 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections have been marred by widespread allegations of vote discrepancies, procedural lapses, and potential manipulation of EVMs. These irregularities, some of which mentioned below, have cast a shadow over the Mahayuti alliance’s victory and raised critical questions about the integrity of the electoral process.

Issue: Unexplained vote discrepancies

1. Unusual surge in votes from Lok Sabha to Assembly Elections

1. • In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP contested 28 seats and received 14.9 million votes. Since each parliamentary seat includes six assembly segments, this means they averaged 88,713 votes per assembly segment.
   • However, in the Vidhan Sabha elections, where they contested 149 seats, the BJP’s vote count rose to 17.29 million votes, an increase of nearly 2.38 million votes.
   • This translates to an average of 116,064 votes per assembly seat, showing a sudden increase of over 28,000 votes per seat compared to the Lok Sabha. Such a sharp rise is unusual and has raised concerns about potential manipulation or unexplained factors influencing the results.

फार मोठा घोटाळा केला आहे

लोकसभा २०२४ मध्ये भाजपाला २८ लोकसभा सीट लढवून 14913914 मते होती

आणि आता विधानसभा १४९ जागा लढवून 17293650 मते आहेत
म्हणजे २३ लाख मते जास्त आहेत

पण विधानसभा सीट बरोबर बघत असाल तर लोकसभेला २८* ६= १६८ जागा लढवल्या

त्यांना प्रत्येक सीट मागे मतदान… pic.twitter.com/JLTIC5S5EK

— गजाभाऊ (@gajabhauX) November 24, 2024

2. Discrepancies in voting and counting in 95 constituencies

1. • Allegations have been raised that in 19 constituencies, more votes were counted than were actually cast, suggesting the possibility of extra votes being added to EVMs.
   • Furthermore, there are claims that in 76 constituencies, fewer votes were counted than cast, indicating potential tampering or technical faults.
   • While in 193 constituencies, the vote counts matched the polling data, the irregularities in almost one-third of the state’s constituencies cannot be ignored.
   • Detailed booth-level inspections (through Form 20) may uncover even more discrepancies, highlighting the need for an immediate and thorough investigation.

The votes ballotted and the votes counted have been found different in 95 assembly seats in Maharashtra.
Will @CEO_Maharashtra and @ECISVEEP care to explain or will this be dismissed too? pic.twitter.com/JGgEz3WO86

— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) November 25, 2024

Issue: Constituency-level irregularities

1. Constituencies with fewer votes counted

Regions such as Nagpur Central, Shirpur, Aurangabad West, and Baramati show significant shortfalls in the votes counted compared to those polled. This pattern suggests the possibility of EVM malfunctions, mismanagement, or intentional suppression of votes.

2. Constituencies with excess votes counted

In stark contrast, areas like Aurangabad East, Vaijapur, Malegaon Central, and Boisar reported higher votes counted than recorded during polling. These anomalies suggest potential manipulation of voting machines or interference during the vote-counting process.

The votes ballotted and the votes counted have been found different in 95 assembly seats in Maharashtra.
Will @CEO_Maharashtra and @ECISVEEP care to explain or will this be dismissed too? pic.twitter.com/JGgEz3WO86

— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) November 25, 2024

Issue: Allegations of EVM manipulation

1. EVM anomalies and discrepant results: In Avadhan village, Congress candidate Kunal Baba Patil reportedly received zero votes, despite public protests from villagers affirming that they had voted for him. This raises critical concerns about the reliability of EVMs in accurately recording votes.

EVM Fraud

Congress candidate Kunal Baba Patil was polled 0 votes. 70% of the villagers came out to protest against ECI.

Avadhan village, Maharashtra.#BanEVM

pic.twitter.com/04SvIulwKV

— Priyamwada (@PriaINC) November 25, 2024

Further investigations revealed variations in vote data stored in EVMs on polling day (November 20) versus counting day (November 23). Such discrepancies point to vulnerabilities in the EVM system and the possibility of tampering during the interim period.

1. Suspicious routers found near polling stations: Reports emerged of routers being discovered outside polling stations, raising alarms about potential external interference with EVM data. Police investigations are underway, but the mere presence of such devices suggests laxity in ensuring the security of election infrastructure.

यामुळे निकाल बदलतो! मतदान केंद्रा बाहेर सापडले राऊटर पोलीस तपास चालू…!

⁦@ShivSenaUBT_⁩
⁦@INCMaharashtra⁩ @NCPspeaks pic.twitter.com/5Cf3kT9Lac

— विवेक विनायक जाधव (@VivekJadhavOff1) November 23, 2024

Issue: Unusual voting pattern in Nanded Lok Sabha by-election

In the Nanded Lok Sabha by-election, held alongside the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Congress secured victory in the parliamentary seat but lost all six assembly segments within the same constituency.

Despite polling simultaneously, it has been provided Congress received 5.87 lakh votes for the Lok Sabha seat but only 4.27 lakh votes across the six assembly segments—a shortfall of 1,59,323 votes. This translates to an average of 26,500 Congress voters per assembly seat who seemingly switched their preference at the assembly level.

The party lost the six assembly seats by a combined margin of 1,84,597 votes, a striking contradiction to their success in the Lok Sabha seat. The anomaly raises serious questions about voter behaviour, as it seems unlikely that such a significant portion of voters would favour the BJP-led alliance for the assembly while supporting Congress in the parliamentary race.

Congress has called for an investigation into this unexpected and puzzling voting pattern.

महाराष्ट्र में विधानसभा के साथ साथ नांदेड़ लोकसभा का भी उपचुनाव था। इस लोकसभा हलके में छ: विधानसभा की सीट आती हैं।

कांग्रेस सभी छ: विधानसभा सीट हार गई है, लेकिन लोकसभा का चुनाव जीत गई है।

ऐसा इसलिए हुआ है कि लोकसभा सीट पर कांग्रेस को 1,59,323 वोट ज़्यादा मिले हैं! छ: विधानसभा… pic.twitter.com/fmeCWlbHR8

— Gurdeep Singh Sappal (@gurdeepsappal) November 24, 2024

Issue: Unexplained rise in voters in Karad (South) constituency over six months:

Within the Satara Lok Sabha constituency in western Maharashtra is the Karad (South) Assembly Constituency (AC). The Lok Sabha Elections 2024, six months before saw a total voting of 1,98,633 votes. Udayanraj Bhosale got 92,814 votes and Shashikant Shinde 92,198 votes. Six months later, the Vidhan Sabha Karad South Constituency had a total voting of 2,40, 743 Votes, that is approximately 41,000 extra votes. The victorious Atul Baba Bhjosale got 1, 39,505 votes and Prithviraj Chavan 1,00,150 votes. This means that the 40,000 plus that had miraculously increased in six months (votes/voters) all went to the winning candidate!

Now, if we compare this to the 2019 data, Vidhan Sabha Karad South AC had 2,10, 436 Votes/Voters. The winning candidate Prithviraj Chavan got 92,296 votes and Bhosale 83,166 votes. Ironically the six month surge of 41,000 votes has been unmatched! Votes that have not increased in five years (Vidhan Sabha 2019 and Lok Sabha 2024) have increased in the past six months. When political parties (opposition) collect the booth-wise updated data they will be able to study where and in which booths these voters have increased and decreased. Then there may be some answers/accountability?

कराड (दक्षिण) गमतीशीर थ्रेड

१) सातारा लोकसभा अंतर्गत कराड (दक्षिण) विधानसभा मतदारसंघात 6 महिन्यापूर्वी लोकसभेला झालेलं एकूण मतदान होतं 1,98,633

(पक्ष बाजूला ठेवूया)
तिथे पडलेली मते.
उदयनराजे भोसले : 92,814
शशिकांत शिंदे : 92,198

1/N pic.twitter.com/vMHji2B2Cn

— ajatashatru58 (@ajatashatru58) November 24, 2024

Opposition raises more accusation against ECI- delay in poling date, EVMs, lack of clarity

Leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) accused the ECI of delaying the announcement of poll dates, giving the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance a strategic advantage. Congress leader Supriya Shrinate had criticised the timing of the elections, claiming the delay allowed the ruling coalition to launch populist schemes like the Ladki Bahin Yojana, influencing voter sentiment. Shrinate expressed her disappointment with the results, noting, “Our campaign was strong, but maybe the public expects more from us. We will deliver on those expectations.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut went further, questioning the legitimacy of the results. He remarked, “This is not the people’s mandate. Something is fishy in these election results.” Raut cited the disproportionate seat distribution—BJP securing 125 seats, Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction 40, and Shinde’s Shiv Sena 60—as improbable, suggesting that such an outcome did not align with public sentiment. He demanded a re-election using paper ballots, saying, “Let this result stay, but conduct the election again with paper ballots, and then show us the same result.”

The integrity of EVMs has come under intense scrutiny, with many of the opposition leaders citing them as a central issue in the election’s credibility:

1. Discrepancies in counting:

1. • Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) leader Fahad Ahmad accused the BJP of manipulating results in Anushakti Nagar. He claimed he was leading after 17 rounds of counting, but EVMs with 99% charge showed his opponent, Sana Malik, leading after additional rounds. Ahmad alleged that this discrepancy indicated deliberate tampering.
   • Similar complaints were raised in other constituencies, with many pointing out irregularities in vote tallies between polling day and counting day.

After round 16 and a steady lead in all rounds.. EVM machines that were 99% charged were opened and BJP supported NCP Ajit Pawar candidate took a lead .. @ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI this is rank manipulation. We demand a recount of rounds 16, 17, 18 and 19. pic.twitter.com/Z2JuUyIQqc

— Fahad Ahmad (@FahadZirarAhmad) November 23, 2024

2. Broader criticism of EVM reliability:

1. • Congress leader Udit Raj bluntly stated, “As long as there are EVMs, elections cannot be fair.” He argued that the trends in Maharashtra clearly indicated tampering, attributing the BJP’s victory to the EVM system rather than a genuine mandate.
   • Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi echoed these concerns, stating that people repeatedly warned about EVM vulnerabilities during the campaign. “A question mark definitely arises on these elections,” she said.

     3.Calls for paper ballot reforms:

1. • Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu joined the chorus of critics, urging a return to paper ballots for future elections. His stance aligns with concerns raised by Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara, who highlighted the potential security risks of electronic voting systems.

Electoral system under scrutiny

Rising doubts about the credibility of the ECI have intensified as opposition leaders question its impartiality. People have argued that the institution appears to favour the ruling party, with its decisions allegedly timed and tailored to bolster the BJP’s chances. The delay in poll announcements is viewed as a strategic manoeuvre to allow Mahayuti leaders to roll out last-minute voter-wooing schemes.

In addition to administrative biases, opposition parties allege that EVMs were compromised to alter the outcomes. Discrepancies in vote tallies in 95 constituencies—where some EVMs recorded more votes than polled and others fewer—have raised suspicions of large-scale manipulation. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut remarked, “They have done some ‘gadbad’ (mess). They have stolen some of our seats.”

There are far too many questions being raised about discrepancy between votes polled and counted and there are even video clips of villagers apparently protesting. It is the @ECISVEEP’s duty as a tax payer funded organisation to put all public doubts to rest. This involves the…

— Saba Naqvi (@_sabanaqvi) November 25, 2024

Impact on public trust and democracy

The controversy surrounding the Maharashtra elections has shaken public confidence in the electoral system. The ECI’s perceived partisanship and refusal to address these concerns transparently further erode faith in the democratic process. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut encapsulated this sentiment, saying, “The people of Maharashtra are not dishonest. This outcome does not reflect their will.”

Amid these allegations, demands for accountability and transparency have grown louder:

• Re-election with paper ballots: Opposition leaders insist that reverting to manual voting is essential to restore credibility.
• Independent audit of EVMs: A forensic analysis of EVM discrepancies in key constituencies could uncover potential tampering.
• ECI’s role under question: The commission’s failure to provide satisfactory explanations for delays, EVM anomalies, and voter grievances has drawn widespread criticism. As a taxpayer-funded body, the ECI is expected to uphold neutrality and public trust.

Related:

UP by-elections: Reports of serious disturbances and disruption of voters

VFD’s draft reports points to “electoral manipulation and irregularities” in Haryana and J&K 2024 assembly elections

Elections amidst glitches: Maharashtra’s crucial poll day unfolds with complaints of barricading and EVM glitches

The post Democracy in question: Allegations of bias, EVM manipulation, and questions of legitimacy post 2024 Maha election result appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Issues impacting voting in Maharashtra Assembly Elections 

1. Technical glitches in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)

The efficiency of the voting process was tested when an electronic voting machine malfunctioned at polling booth number 210 in the Kothrud constituency, located in Annasaheb Patil Primary School. The fault occurred around 8:00 AM, just an hour after polling began. The machine displayed an invalid status due to a wiring issue, causing a 30-minute delay.

Early voters, many of whom had arrived to cast their votes before heading to work, expressed frustration. One voter spoke to The Indian Express and stated that “I came early to vote and avoid delays at work, but the machine fault ended up delaying me anyway.” Another onlooker described to the IE reporter that the incident as ironic, given the significance of the election. Sector officer Pradeep Rangdale explained that the technical team responded promptly to fix the wiring, which had been disturbed by the morning rush. Despite resolution, the incident raised concerns about EVM reliability and the preparedness of election officials.

2. Protests and boycotts by the Transgender community

A political statement emerged from Pune, where members of the transgender community chose to boycott the elections. This decision, led by Manasi Goilkar of the Shrikhandi Trust, was driven by the community’s long-standing demand for vertical reservation, which has consistently been ignored by political parties and candidates.

The district has 805 registered transgender voters, but activists claim the actual number exceeds 10,000 due to underreporting and societal stigma. Goilkar criticised political leaders for neglecting the community’s issues, stating, “None of the parties or candidates even came to meet us or try to raise our issues,” as per a report of the Hindustan Times.

The neglect extended to Shameebha Patil, the lone transgender candidate contesting from Raver constituency under the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA). During her campaign, Patil allegedly faced sexist and derogatory remarks from opponents, further highlighting the systemic discrimination faced by the community. The boycott by the transgender community sheds light on the broader issue of political apathy towards marginalised groups.

3. Allegations against the Election Commission

The integrity of the Election Commission was called into question during polling day, with allegations of bias and corruption surfacing from various quarters. Specific incidents, such as barricading in Nagpur Central, led to claims that the Commission had compromised its neutrality and sided with ruling parties.

People have accused the Election Commission of failing to uphold the principles of free and fair elections. The Opposition’s statements added to the charged atmosphere, with some claiming this was indicative of a broader erosion of democratic norms in the electoral process.  Voting for the Maharashtra assembly election concluded at 6 pm. The state has recorded 58.22% per cent voter turnout till 5 pm after a slow start. As per reports, Gadchiroli recorded the highest voter turnout at 69.63%, while Mumbai city recorded the lowest at 49.07%.

Within Mumbai city, Mahim recorded the highest voter turnout at 55.23% while 41.64% turnout was recorded in Colaba, which was the lowest.

Within Mumbai suburban, Bhandup West recorded the highest voter turnout at 60.18% while 47.05% turnout was recorded in Chandivali, which was the lowest.

 Mahayuti Alliance: Campaigning on welfare and polarisation 

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which includes the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), approached the elections with a dual focus on welfare schemes and polarising slogans. Campaigns centred around initiatives like “Majhi Ladki Bahin” for women, while slogans such as “Batenge toh katenge” and “Ek hai toh safe hai” were used to rally support. These slogans, however, drew criticism from the Opposition, who accused the alliance of fostering divisions along communal lines.

The seat distribution within Mahayuti was as follows:

– BJP: 149 seats

– Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction): 81 seats

– NCP (Ajit Pawar faction): 59 seats

Despite these efforts, internal contradictions were visible, with leaders like Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar having to clarify or distance themselves from controversial campaign messages.

Maha Vikas Aghadi: A focus on social justice 

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), a coalition of the Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), aimed to counter Mahayuti’s polarisation tactics with a focus on inclusivity and constitutional values. Their campaign advocated for a caste-based census and social justice initiatives, appealing to voters disenchanted with the ruling government.

Seat allocation for MVA was as follows:

– Congress: 101 seats

– Shiv Sena (UBT): 95 seats

– NCP (Sharad Pawar faction): 86 seats

Leaders such as Rahul Gandhi and Sharad Pawar criticised the BJP’s governance and campaign strategies, framing the MVA as a more progressive and equitable choice for voters.

Smaller players and independent candidates 

The elections also saw participation from smaller parties such as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which contested 237 seats, and AIMIM, which fielded candidates in 17 constituencies. An impressive 28% rise in candidates was noted this year, with over 4,000 individuals in the fray, including 2,086 independents. This increase points to growing dissent within major alliances, as many rebel candidates challenged official nominees.

Related:

UP by-elections: Reports of serious disturbances and disruption of voters

‘We are considered servants, not humans’: Women of Jai Bhim Nagar reveal the violence of domestic work

ote for Democracy (VFD) releases report on the conduct of General Election 2024

Counting of votes and post-counting remedies to the victim candidates of a tainted election process

ECI faces ire over lack of transparency and discrepancy in poll data, the poll body dismisses the allegations in a detailed response

The post Elections amidst glitches: Maharashtra’s crucial poll day unfolds with complaints of barricading and EVM glitches appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Needless to say that the faith of a citizen in Governance germinates out of the process of fair, impartial, efficient and transparent elections by free exercise of the right to vote, given by ‘we, the citizens of India’ through adult suffrage in Article 326 of the Constitution of India, there is no provision for seeking votes on the basis of caste, creed, religion, enticement or threat by hate speech.

To this end, Article 334 has provided for the establishment of the Election Commission of India and the legislature has framed ‘The Representation of The People Act 1951’ and the Election Rules 1961, thereunder. The Act and the rules, have made various provisions elaborately for the conduct of free and fair election. Each functionary and authority down the lane even up to the booth level presiding/polling officers, are duty bound to conduct fair election. Under Section 27 of the Act, duty is cast on the Presiding officer to ensure a free and fair exercise. Further the duties and rights of election agents, polling agents and the counting agents stand incorporated under section 40 to 50 of the Act for an impartial and transparent procedure. Further under ‘The Conduct of Election Rules 1961’ there are more safeguards for transparency and fairness so as to put an end to arbitrariness and fudging the data of votes polled.

Under Rule 49 L the name of each elector is to be entered in serial order in Register 17A and his/her signatures are obtained before allowing him /her to vote. In fact it is a live register and real time monitoring. Voter turnout can be seen at any moment and the same has to be uploaded every 2 hours on the ENCORE App.

At the close of the polls Rule 49 S provides that number of votes polled is to be declared by the PO after pressing close button and the said number is recorded in Form 17-C.  A signed copy of this form 17-C, is given to each Polling Agent present at the close of the poll. As such, there should be no delay in declaration of votes having been polled at the polling booth and the same is to be uploaded on ENCORE App. Under rule 93(2) form 17-C can be inspected and a copy can be obtained by a citizen after making payment of fee as prescribed.

However, during the recently concluded elections to the 18^th Lok Sabha, the transparency and fairness has come under cloud on more than one occasion and on various issues. The Election Commission of India (ECI) kept trying to keep everything concealed, and kept trying to by-pass all the established norms. This attitude of the ECI created suspicion and strong doubts about the fairness of the whole exercise.

The first and foremost blow to the transparency and accountability was struck, when the ECI failed to declare figures of the votes polled at the end of the polls. Though ECI posted initial provisional percentage of voter turnout for the 1^st Phase (April 19) at around 7.00 pm on the day at 60% but actual votes polled or the final figure of voter turnout was not divulged for 11 days! There is no rational excuse for this delay. Criticism and questions led to a callous and stony silence on behalf of the ECI. This silence by an institution that is constitutionally mandate to have unfailing allegiance to each and every citizen of India, the Voter, and not the Government in power, led to more confusion and suspicion. Thereafter for the 2^nd phase too (April 26), only a provisional figure of 60.96% was declared, the final figures were not declared. After a lot of hue and cry in media the ECI on 30.04.2024 declared final provisional figures to be 66.14% for 1st phase and 66.71% for 2^nd phase. As such an unexplained huge hike of voter turn by 6.14% and 5.75% was therefore shown for both the 1st and 2^nd phase. Before public vigilance grew stronger and ECI’s motives were openly suspect, already votes to 192 and 89 seats had been case in the 1^st and 2^nd phases respectively.

ECI hikes failed to divulge figures of voter Turn Out in time

Thereafter the ECI made it a routine to hike the voter turnout figure after 4-5 days, the hike was 4.23%, 6.32%, 4.73%, 4.31% and 4.33% in the 3^rd, 4^th,5^th,6^th and the 7^th phases respectively. These elections took place on May 7, May 13m May 20, May 25 and June 1 respectively. These Phases individually accounted for 94, 96, 49, 57 and 57 seats respectively.

Despite the fact that the ECI remains unaccountably obdurate and unconvincing in addressing serious questions of the anomalies, they raise questions that must be answered, This unexplained hike when analysed phase wise and state wise depicts startling figures of hike in each state and same being connected to the tally of the BJP and NDA as shown in table below.

The curious case of Punjab

Further that BJP vote share in Punjab rose to 18.56% with hike of 6.94% in voter turnout.  In Chandigarh with increase of 5.18% the winning margin reduced to 2504, in Tamil Nadu turn out hiked by 9.53% and BJP Vote share rose to get more than doubled to 11.24%.

Table above depicts that in UP first two phases voter turnout hiked by 3.02% NDA got 9 seats out of 16, strike rate of 56.25% but when in next 5 phases hike was only 0.25% NDA tally was 27/64 strike rate of 42.2% only.

ECI: Misplaced, misleading claims

The claim of ECI that the voter turnout cannot be uploaded on same or 2^nd day because the distances are too long, connectivity is too poor, voting closes in late hours, polling parties are dead tired.

However this lie is badly exposed because in Chandigarh where the connectivity is first rate, and the constituency has only 614 polling booths, the total voter turnout is only 4,48,547 voters, distance within the Constituency is within a radius of 15 kms, yet the turnout has been increased by 5.18%, that too after the tally is made public after four days! The ECI has no reply to this. The geographical area, the total number of voters, polling booths and distances are minimum (small) as compared to any district of UP with almost more than a million votes polled in each constituency! Yet, in Chandigarh, the final figures of polling were given on June 6, an inexplicable 5 days after polling, showing a hike of 5.18% whereas in UP (in the last 5 phases), there was negligible change in EVM figures of of 0.25% only.

With a 12.54% vote hike in Odisha, NDA got 20 out of 21 seats, in Andhra Pradesh with 12.54% hike cornered 21 out of 25 seats, in Assam with a 9.19% hike, the seats of NDA stood at 11 of 14 and in Chhattisgarh, the hike of 4.66 % in votes meant that the NDA won 10 seats out of 11.

Tampering of votes polled in EVMs

Did the manipulation stop there?

After polling in 542 seats in 7 phases and the mess created by this unexplained hike of vote percentage in each phase to the extent of 4.31% to 6.32% was not the only way this 18^th Lok Sabha election was manipulated. The matter did not stop there.

The sanctity of EVM also stands breached in 539 seats. Only in 3 seats one in Lakshadweep, one in Damma & Diu and one in Amreli in Gujrat the votes recovered in EVM were exactly the same as the votes polled.

However, in the rest of the 539 seats the votes polled in EVM did not tally with the votes recovered in EVM at the time of counting. Discrepancy of votes has been found in all the 7 phases, the variation ranging from 1 vote to a staggering 16, 791 votes!

The Table below depicts in 274 seats EVM votes variation range is 1-500, in another 97 seats it is between 501 -1000, while in a mindboggling number of seats that 151 seats variation range is 1001-5000. However, 17 seats showed the variation of more than 5000 votes, the highest being 16791 votes in Tiruvallur of Tamil Nadu.

Excess votes recovered from EVM of 174 Constituencies

In a significant, 174 seats the votes recovered from EVM s at the end of counting hour was more than the votes actually polled in the EVMs during polling time before close of polls.

The range of excess votes is the minimum and the maximum between 1 and 3811 votes and can be seen per constituency in each phase of polling in the table below.

While in as many as 365 seats votes recovered from EVMs during counting were less than the votes polled in the EVMs during polling, the range being between 1 and 16791, the minimum and the maximum limit.

Out of these a few constituencies depicting high deficit are listed in the table below:

Here are some seats where the BJP has won by a very narrow margin and the discrepancy of votes polled in EVM and Votes recovered from EVM is also significant in relation to these margins.

As such one can imagine very easily that these 10 seats with so narrow a margin need an explanation from the ECI as to how could sanctity of votes polled in EVMs be jeopardised? When this margin has affected the result decisively?

ECI claimed in its press release on 25.05.2024 as under:

“Any alteration in number of votes polled is not possible. The whole exercise of release of turn out data from the commencement of date of polls on19th April 2024 has been accurate, consistent and in accordance with the election laws and without any discrepancy whatsoever.”

Will the ECI be able to make public as to whether its data was wrong, arguably even manipulated and a fake claim had been propagated about its invincibility? Or was the exercise only any eye wash to intentionally mislead the public so that criticism is diluted and no finger is pointed out at such serious flaws? Let the Hon’ble Supreme Court also now come out boldly and openly on this manifest slap in the face of democracy by its own highest institutions.

The ECI is –to date –not giving any detailed or cogent explanation about these huge discrepancies in EVM Votes in 539 constituencies! Rather, it is trying to mislead –by an exercise in guess work—where, in fact there has been an effort to promote a conscious negligence, active connivance. Worse, the deliberate attempt has been to make the process opaque to enable one-sided favours by the ECI. This constitutional body, the ECI could have come out with a cogent explanation for the mismatch of EVM votes for each constituency individually and severely.

Trust is low, in both the ECI as well as in EVMs. Faith and a Free and Fair Election has been dealt a blow.

(The author is former Dean, Punjab University Faculty of Medical Sciences)

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are the author’s personal views, and do not necessarily represent the views of Sabrangindia.

The post SABRANGINDIA EXCLUSIVE: Election 2024, ECI: Technical glitch, gross negligence or deliberate manipulation? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

This piece delves into the comprehensive details of the complaint, highlighting  accusations against high-ranking officials of the Election Commission of India (ECI), engineers from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), and prominent leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and J.P. Nadda. 

The complaint outlines a systematic and far-reaching conspiracy purportedly designed to influence the election results in favour of the BJP, compromising the integrity and transparency of the electoral process. Through meticulous documentation of incidents, evidence of tampering, and procedural violations, this piece aims to present a coherent and detailed account of the allegations, demanding an immediate and thorough investigation to uphold the democratic principles of free and fair elections in India.

Advocate Mehmood Pracha has filed a comprehensive criminal complaint alleging manipulation of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The complaint is against The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Rajiv Kumar, Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Officials and engineers of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Mr. Narendra Modi,  Mr. Amit Shah and Mr. J.P. Nadda of the Bharatiya Janata Party and other known and unknown persons involved in aiding the BJP to secure an unjust victory. 

Core contentions of the complaint

Use of EVM’s instead of ballot papers

The complaint states that elections are legally required to be conducted via ballot papers unless specific conditions allow for Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The 2024 elections, however, were conducted using EVMs in a manner that allegedly compromised both transparency and security, systematically favouring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies.

According to the complaint, at the beginning of the election process for the 7-Rampur Lok Sabha Constituency in U.P., a meeting was held between the Returning Officer (RO), other election officials, and all candidates. This meeting was audio-video recorded by the RO. During the meeting, Advocate Pracha informed the RO that elections are required to be held through ballot papers, with EVMs permissible only under a special notification as per Section 61A of the RPA. The RO stated readiness to conduct elections via ballot papers if the ECI issued the necessary instructions but failed to provide any such notification, proceeding instead with EVMs.

Adv. Pracha filed Writ Petition (Civil) 5037 of 2024 in the Delhi High Court. On April 6, 2024, the ECI sent a copy of a notification dated March 20, 2024 under Section 61A. This notification however, appeared to be manipulated states the complaint as it was not available online until April 6, .2024, despite the election schedule being announced on March 16, 2024.

Adv. Pracha therefore requests for a thorough investigation to be conducted in order to examine the official files and records at the ECI head office, focusing on the preparation of the notification and the alleged conspiracy to issue an illegal and omnibus notification.

Manipulations of the EVM’s  

The complaint implicates senior ECI officials, including CEC Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, accusing them of orchestrating a wide-ranging conspiracy to manipulate EVMs. This manipulation extended to other senior ECI officials both at the headquarters and those deputed in various constituencies.

Individuals affiliated with the BJP, such as Mansukhbhai Shamjibhai Khachariya, Dr. Shivnath Yadav, Ms. Shyama Singh, Mr. PV Parthasarathi, and Mr. Krishna Bihari Rai, were appointed as Directors in BEL and ECIL. These appointments according to the complaint were a part of a broader scheme to keep the EVM manufacturing process secretive and manipulatable. 

The complaint states that key components of the EVMs, particularly the microcontrollers, were imported from undisclosed foreign manufacturers. The software or source code for these microcontrollers was ported in a secretive manner to facilitate manipulation. Serial numbers on various EVM components were not permanently affixed, which made it easier to swap machines during the election process without detection. The accessories used with the EVMs, such as wires, batteries, and paper rolls, were uncertified and unverified, further compromising the integrity of the election process.

A significant number of EVMs used in the 2019 election process are reported to be missing records the complaint. The Election Commission of India (ECI) acknowledges this issue as sub-judice, as stated in their FAQs.

Transportation, storage and commissioning irregularities 

On April 8.2024, Adv. Pracha observed EVMs being transported in open, non-containerized trucks without security personnel. The EVMs lacked permanently engraved serial numbers and had detachable stickers, facilitating potential tampering.

The warehouse storing the EVMs was maintained illegally and unsafely. There was no clear distinction between EVMs meant for training and those for actual elections, violating guidelines and facilitating manipulation. Adv. Pracha has audio-video recordings of the warehouse and transportation and has requested further videography from ECI officials.

During the commissioning process on April 9, 2024 in Rampur, authorized engineers from BEL and ECIL were absent. Adv. Pracha signed a pink slip and made a note in the register as evidence. Later, he encountered individuals claiming to be BEL engineers at the Collectorate, but they were not engaged in any procedures.

At the Mandi, the designated venue for commissioning, Adv. Pracha observed various devices and accessories, such as a large computer mouse-like device (SLU), wires, batteries, and paper rolls, lying in bulk without seals or certification. BEL team leader Mr. Navyajyoti explained the SLU usage and stated that data was stored by the ECI’s local unit at Moradabad, not by his team.

Local officials attempted to prevent Pracha from witnessing the process and communicating with the engineer. Pracha and his associates were threatened with false criminal charges by ECI officials, aiming to intimidate and prevent them from reporting the tampering. The Central Observer’s intervention was necessary to normalize the situation.

ECI officials “conspired to misappropriate election funds by mishandling the videography procedure and safekeeping of EVM-VVPAT machines”, states the complaint, “recording fewer and shorter videos than required. Substandard and insecure infrastructure was used for the transportation, storage, and safekeeping of the machines.”

Several emails were written to the Returning Officer and other ECI officials, including the CEC, highlighting the illegalities witnessed regarding the mishandling and tampering of EVM-VVPAT machines. No corrective measures were attempted despite these communications.

Election day and post-polling manipulation

As stated in the complaint, on April 18, 2024, during the commissioning and distribution of machines, ECI officials mishandled the machines. They used mobile phones and electronics at the venue, with no security checks at entry/exit points. Unauthorized personnel could freely enter and exit, potentially tampering with the machines.

As per the complaint, even after polling on April 19, 2024, mishandling and tampering continued. Machines were brought back to the Mandi for sealing and storage at the warehouse, where officials were seen working on the machines and election papers at night, violating legal provisions. Videography from this period could establish the manipulation of machines and other materials by polling parties.

Despite multiple complaints and letters detailing these issues, the ECI took no corrective action. Notable communications include those dated March 28.,  2024, April, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 19, 2024.

Conspiracy and forgery to influence elections

The criminal complaint accuses officials at the Election Commission of India (ECI) of orchestrating a conspiracy to influence election outcomes through falsification and destruction of critical documents. Specifically, ECI guidelines require that copies of Form 17C, detailing votes polled, remain unsealed with Returning Officers. However, according to the complaint, these records were allegedly destroyed to manipulate the vote count. The complaint further alleges that senior officials at the ECI’s head office in Delhi engaged in forgery, manipulation, and tampering of records to present misleading information in affidavits submitted to the Supreme Court of India. This main conspiracy, alleges the complaint, centered at the ECI’s headquarters at Nirvachan Sadan in Delhi, involved clandestine meetings and other activities aimed at subverting the electoral process.

Manifestation of the manipulation

Numerous malfunctions and anomalies in EVMs suggest nationwide manipulation to benefit the BJP alleges the complaint. It is stated that reports indicate a mismatch between the total number of votes polled and the total number of votes finally counted in 538 Parliamentary Constituencies. In Rampur, the total votes counted were 456 less than the total votes polled, suggesting a conspiracy to alter election results.

Request for investigation

Adv. Pracha through his complaint has called for:

• Immediate registration of a report under Section 129 of the Representation of the People’s Act, 1951, Section 65/66/66F of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Section 171F/409/417/466/120B/201/34 Indian Penal Code.
• Investigation into the roles of all involved, including ECI officials, BEL and ECIL engineers, and BJP members.
• Seizure and forensic analysis of manipulated EVMs and related materials.
• Preservation and review of all videography and CCTV footage related to the election process.
• Examination of official files and records at the ECI head office to uncover details of the alleged conspiracy.

Conclusion

Transparent elections are the lifeblood of any democracy, ensuring that the voice of every citizen is heard and respected. Free and fair electoral processes uphold the fundamental rights of voters, guaranteeing that their choices shape the future of their nation without interference or manipulation.

Advocate Mehmood Pracha’s meticulous documentation and unwavering pursuit of justice in his criminal complaint against election officials and BJP leaders underscore the critical importance of maintaining electoral integrity. His detailed allegations of EVM tampering, procedural irregularities, and systematic misconduct demand not just attention but immediate action to uphold democratic principles.

In exposing these alleged violations, Pracha has highlighted potential threats to the democratic fabric of IndiaThe authorities have formally accepted the complaint and it is now to left to be seen how investigation proceeds in the matter.

The complaint can be read here: 

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The post Legal storm brews: criminal complaint by adv Mehmood Pracha alleges massive election manipulation by ECI and senior BJP leaders appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The incident quickly drew attention online, with video clips showing EVMs being loaded on a mini truck spreading quickly across social media platforms. Hate Detectors, a page on X (formerly Twitter), that documents hate crimes, posted the videos on their page.

According to local news reports, the incident took place in the Sarai Khwaja area, near the campus of Purvanchal University in Devkali village.

In #UttarPradesh‘s #Jaunpur, #SamajwadiParty workers caught a tempo loaded with #EVM‘s near the strong room where polled EVMs were kept.

DM insists the EVMs were on reserve and mistakenly took them outside the strong room.

According to SP workers, DM provided no documentary… pic.twitter.com/j1IgpKCC0h

— Hate Detector (@HateDetectors) May 27, 2024

According to Siasat News, SP leader and Jaunpur candidate Babu Singh Kushwaha has claimed that when people from the SP confronted and stopped the truck, the driver of the truck fled. He also stated that the DM was not able to provide any proof or document that could determine for sure that the EVMs were reserve EVMs.

However, the District Magistrate arrived at the scene as the crowd gathered angrily in protest and checked the EVMs. He spoke to the media at the site and asserted that these were reserve EVMs that were kept for Mungra Badshahpur. He further explained, according to a report in Jagran, that these EVMs would have been used in case of any malfunction or shortage of EVMs.

कल दिनांक 25 -05-24 को विधानसभा मुंगराबादशाहपुर हेतु रिज़र्व किये गए अप्रयुक्त ईवीएम मशीन मिनी ट्रक के माध्यम से ARO office मुंगराबादशाहपुर से कलेक्ट्रेट स्थित ईवीएम वेयरहाउस में जमा करने हेतु तहसीलदार मछलीशहर वाहन लेकर पूर्वांचल विश्वविद्यालय मार्ग से वापस आ रहे थे। जाम अधिक… pic.twitter.com/jzRDvXP4Yh

— DM JAUNPUR (@DMjaunpur) May 26, 2024

Jaunpur saw polls on May 25th in the second to last round of voting for the 18th Lok Sabha elections in India. According to UP Tak, after voting concluded in the district at around 6 PM, the EVMs were placed in the strong room. However, SP workers gathered outside the strong room for monitoring. The issue began when a truck filled with EVMs arrived around there at around 11 PM when they started protesting.

After their protests, the EVMs were placed in a separate warehouse of the collectorate. The SP leaders which included MLA Lucky Yadav, Mungra Badshahpur MLA Pankaj Patel, and SP candidate Babu Singh Kushwaha and several supporters continued to stay there for a good portion of the night.

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The post Samajwadi Party leaders catch EVMs being transported, accuse BJP appeared first on SabrangIndia.

On May 11, citizens and civil society organisations carried out a joint campaign involving thousands of people exhorting the ECI to “Grow a Spine or Resign”. Thousands of citizens and a large number of civil society organisations sent specially crafted postcards with this slogan to the ECI. The central theme highlighted by this postcard-campaign was the lack of action by the ECI against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, even after the party and its campaigners were blatantly pursuing a Hindutva communal propaganda, clearly aimed at vitiating social harmony during the elections.

One day before this, on May 10, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), a non-governmental organisation with a stellar record in terms of studying and analysing Indian elections as well as governance and policy issues, filed an interim application in the Supreme Court questioning the inordinate delay on the part of the ECI in tabulating the polled votes in the first two phases of the seven phased Lok Sabha elections. The ADR stated that the plea was filed to ensure that the democratic process is not subverted by electoral irregularities.

The ADR plea pointed out as follows. “The voter turn-out data for the first two phases of the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections published by ECI on April 30 has been published after 11 days of the first phase of polling held on April 19 and 4 days after the second phase of polling held on April 26. The data as published by the ECI in its press release dated April 30, 2024 shows a sharp increase (by about 5-6%) as compared to the initial percentages announced by ECI as of 7 pm on the day of polling.” The plea further pointed out that the “unusually high revision of over 5 percent in the poll panel’s press note of April 30, 2024 has raised concerns and public suspicion regarding the correctness of the said data.”

Five major journalists organisations – The Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corp, Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Delhi Union of Journalists and Press Association – also wrote a letter to the ECI expressing shock and surprise about the institution’s unwillingness to release the “absolute number of votes polled”, in the first three phases of the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections. In the letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), the presidents of the journalists organisations pointed out that in the 2019 general election, a press conference by the ECI after every phase was a “normal practice”. “It should be noted that at the press conferences, the journalists clarify their doubts and confusion, if any, which helps them report and write error-free copies for their readers. They keep the citizens accurately informed and updated on the ongoing election. The Election Commissioners can also speak directly to voters via electronic media during a press conference,” the letter pointed out.

As a whole, these concerned interventions underscored the conspicuous absence of transparency in the functioning of the constitutional institution. Even as these serious doubts and apprehensions over the conduct of the ECI are getting expressed across several public forums, Manoranjan S Roy, Mumbai based Right to Information (RTI) activist, who has consistently followed and studied the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in India, especially the systems adopted by the ECI in terms of tabulation and deployment of these machines, has pointed out to some glaring mismatches in the whole process.

Talking to The AIDEM, Roy said that the ECI’s tabulation of the receipt and deployment of EVMs from the two designated manufacturing companies – namely the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL), Hyderabad, and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), Bengaluru- has always been problematic (the public interest litigation -PIL – that he had filed in 2018 on this matter is still pending with the courts even now) but in relation to the 2024 polls, even the press release issued by the institution is replete with mismatches and inconsistencies. Roy pointed out that a simple comparison of the ECI press releases issued in connection with the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections brings out a number of mismatches.

To start with, the ECI press releases show that there has been an increase of 7.2 crore voters between 2019 and 2024. This rise seems to have been factored into the addition of polling booths for the 2024 polls. A total of 15000 polling stations have been added across the country raising the number of actual polling stations to 10.50 lakhs from 10.35 lakhs. Strangely, however, there is no proportional increase in the number of EVMs being deployed in these polling stations.

In the 2019 press release on the usage of EVMs, the ECI had given details of the different units that constitute an EVM. The then press release (dated March 10, 2019) had listed a total of 57.05 lakh machines with the following break up. Ballot Unit (BU) – 23.3 lakh, Control Unit (CU) – 16.35 lakh and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPAT) -17.4 lakh.

The manual published by ECI on EVMs states clearly that an “EVM means Ballot Unit, Control Unit and VVPAT unit”. Recently, the Supreme Court has also reasserted this definition.

Going by this definition, the total number of EVMs deployed in the 2019 elections was 57.05 lakhs. But, the 2024 press release of the ECI merely states that 55 lakh EVMs are being used in the 2024 elections. No classification in terms of the different components – BU, CU, VVPAT- could be found despite a perusal of the different announcements and press releases of the ECI.

Roy told The AIDEM, that on the basis of this difference between the EVM figures of 2019 and 2024, he has a few very simple questions. “The ECI has allocated approximately 2.05 lakh EVMs less for the current elections despite an increase of 7.2 crore voters and an increase of 15000 polling stations as compared to 2019. What exactly is the logic behind this? Have EVMs suddenly become smarter than before? If the ECI has any explanation for this, it should be in the public domain. That is the kind of transparency that is expected of this constitutional institution.”

Roy further went on to add that the figures on the number of EVMs available with the ECI as sourced by him through RTI application also brings out strange facts that raise a number of suspicions. As per the documents sourced by Roy through RTI, the ECI had given a work order to ECIL and BEL on June 21,2021 to supply a total of 10,42,000 BU (4,87,000 from BEL and 5,55,000 from ECIL), 6,97,000 CU (4,08,500 from BEL and 2,88,500 from ECIL) and 6,46,000 VVPAT (3,24,000 from BEL and 3,22,000 from ECIL). The order was to be completed in March 2023 as per the notification given to the two companies by ECI. Evidently, this procurement was targeted towards elections, including the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

However, in an RTI reply given to Roy on February 6,2024 ECIL stated that the total number of BU supplied by them to ECI in 2022-2023 is 4,18,590. In other words ECIL supply was short by 68,410 machines. More strangely, the order ECIL had for CU was for 2,88,500 units, but in the RTI response to Roy the company stated it had supplied 3,31,319 units. That is an additional delivery of 42,819 units. What is this in aid of, wonders Roy.

The RTI activist further pointed out that in an RTI reply he received from BEL (dated February 1, 2024), there are references to a model of EVMs named Mk V (Mk 5). In fact, all the BUs and CUs that BEL has supplied to the ECI in 2022-23 as per the 2021 June order belong to this model. This supply is of 4,87,000 BU and 4,08,500 CU. Roy told The AIDEM that the technical details of this model are not known even to seasoned EVM watchers like him and the ECI needs to explain the characteristics of the model to the public through an explanatory note. The EVMs currently being used in India belong to M3 and M2M3 models. Earlier, M2 model EVMs were also used, but according to Roy, those machines are no longer deployed for polling purposes, as they are considered to be obsolete.

According to Roy, the responses he has received from the companies also suggest that the machines that they have made and supplied to the ECI are not according to the specifications mentioned in the procurement order. While the BUs and CUs of both the companies have a capacity of 2000 per machine, the VVPAT capacity of BEL is 1400 and that of ECIL 1500. Roys question to the ECI as to how the mismatch of 600 and 500 respectively between the CUs and VVPATs would get rationalised while counting.

As someone who has followed the ECI’s functioning, particularly in relation to the use of EVMs, Roy points out that he had brought the ECI’s gross mismatches and errors in tabulation in public forums,including the judiciary, as early as 2018. He had filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court in March 2018, which pointed out that lakhs of EVMs that the manufacturers affirm to have delivered are “missing” from the possession of the ECI. In the marathon RTI exercise that Roy had undertaken before filing the PIL, he had sought state-wise information from the ECI for the period between 1989 to 2017 about unique ID number of the EVMs (including -BU-CU and VVPAT) supplied to various States along with challan copy of transport as well as name and mode of transporter.

Roy’s plea was that the use of EVMs is marked by intrigue as sporadic cases of mysterious appearances of EVMs in unexpected places, including in isolated private godowns and stretside dustbins, were reported steadily over the years. He demanded that a thorough investigation should be initiated into the procurement and deployment of EVMs and a comprehensive report on the facts thrown up by the investigation should be placed before the public.

The PIL was filed before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and between then and now the case has witnessed close to 20 hearings and as many postponements. And, now the process of the next election has also progressed past midway. Evidently, the ECI has not acceded to any investigation and the case drags on. Even as his six years long wait continues Roy has unearthed the new revelations on the new mismatches. However, it remains to be seen what impact it would have on the current ECI, which seems to be immune to all queries and criticisms raised by the public against it, even while it seems to be steadfastly protecting the interests of the ruling establishment.

Courtesy: The AIDEM

The post Glaring Mismatches in EVM Numbers Aggravate Concerns on ECI’s Poll Management appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The suspect, identified as Vijay Bhabhor streamed the incident live on his Facebook account. The video shot depicts Bhabhor entering a polling booth in Prathampur and tampering with the electronic voting machine, despite repeated warnings from election officials. As per reports from local media, Bhabor is the son of a former Mahisagar Taluka panchayat leader Ramesh Bhabor. Bhabor was previously seen in the video saying, “EVM toh apne baap ki hai.” (EVM is my father’s property) After the video went viral, he had reportedly deleted it. In available recording of the video, Vijay Bhabor can be seen tampering with the voting equipment freely inside the polling booth. He is also heard using abusive words, and saying ‘I am pressing the button for you.” He has also reportedly said that he can take the EVM home if he wants. He was also reportedly seen encouraging people to vote for BJP’s candidate, sitting MP Jaswant Singh Bhabore, who is a BJP MP from Dahod for the past two terms and has also formerly been a Minister of State for Tribal Affairs in Gujarat.

The video depicting the son of a BJP leader entering the polling booth and engaging in fraudulent voting in Mahisagar, Gujarat, has gone viral.

Reality of BJP! pic.twitter.com/EQtsqCGNLw

— Gujarat Pradesh Congress Sevadal (@SevadalGJ) May 8, 2024

The opposition Congress party has demanded for strong measures in response, claiming that the accused visited around 25 other such polling stations within the Gothib taluka panchayat in Santrampur. The party has filed two separate complaints to the police in the case.

The two accused, Vijay Bhabore and Magan Damore have reportedly been arrested as of now after a complaint was filed against them by IP Pathan, an executive magistrate, as per a report in TOI. As per the report, four election officials on duty were also served show cause notice for not having reported the video to the election officials in their district. The police have also confirmed, as per the IE report, that both arrested are members of the BJP.

This news comes shortly as a stream of BJP leaders, party workers, and even government officials have been reported to have threatened voters into voting for the BJP from Assam to UP, and now to Gujarat. Similar reports have arisen from Mathur and Sambhal in UP of Muslims being denied the right to vote.

As we await the voters’ mandate for the 2024 general assembly elections, these incidents continue to pile up at an alarming pace.

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Reports from UP’s Sambhal claim that several members of the Muslim community prevented from exercising their vote

The post ‘EVM is my father’s property.’ BJP leader’s son detained for making live video from poll booth in Gujarat appeared first on SabrangIndia.

“At least 200 EVMs have been changed… arrangements will be made overnight,” the man claiming that the just concluded Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections have been compromised, and giving an example that at least 200 EVMs have been replaced, in an updated video that came to light on March 6 has been identified as Narendra Kharwar, a former Sadar Block chief of Maharajganj. The video was shared  on social media by Lucknow based journalist Manish Pandey, who added that  Kharwar is known to be “a family friend of Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Choudhary”. Kharwar did not correct the (off screen) person questioning him about the “fixing if BJP was winning” and being called a “BJP supporter.  

प्रस्तुत वोडियो में कलाकार हैं महाराजगंज के पूर्व सदर ब्लाक प्रमुख , नाम है नरेंद्र खरवार । वित्त राज्य मंत्री पंकज चौधरी के पारिवारिक मित्र के तौर पर इनकी पहचान है क्षेत्र में । वीडियो में बोल रहें है कि चुनाव में 200 ई वी एम बदल दी गई है । वीडियो का संज्ञान लेते हुए इनके खिलाफ pic.twitter.com/UfqzrsiJPR

— MANISH PANDEY (@ManishPandeyLKW) March 6, 2022

Taking cognizance of the viral video, the Election Commission issued a statement late night on March 6, that they have registered a case and are investigating. They however do not identify the man claiming EVMs have been changed, even though his identity and affiliation as a BJP supporter has been established earlier. It is not yet known what action has been taken against the man, or what the details of which constituency those EVMS he spoke about were from.

चुनाव आयोग ने मुकदमा दर्ज कर लिया है । pic.twitter.com/21GV6i5UE4

— MANISH PANDEY (@ManishPandeyLKW) March 6, 2022

According to a report in youtube new channel The Live TV, aired from Varanasi EVMS have been tampered with. This report too plays the video out, and again asks where the man close to the minister got the information of the alleged EVM tampering or replacement. 

The official Twitter Handle of Samajwadi Party has also been reporting various allegations of irregularities such as “fake voting is being done by BJP workers at booth number 338 of Gopalpur Vidhan Sabha 344 in Azamgarh district,” and tagging Election Commission and District Administration in its ‘complaints’ on social media

आजमगढ़ जिले की गोपालपुर विधानसभा 344 के बूथ संख्या 338 पर बीजेपी कार्यकर्ताओं द्वारा फर्जी वोटिंग कराई जा रही है चुनाव आयोग और जिला प्रशासन सैयां ले @ECISVEEP @ceoup @dmazamgarh

— Samajwadi Party (@samajwadiparty) March 7, 2022

The SP also alleged that there was “booth capturing” at booth number 224 of Jaunpur 366 assembly of Jaunpur district. The SP twitter handle had made scores of such allegations and reports public by the end of voting on March 7. 

जौनपुर जिले की जौनपुर 366 विधानसभा के बूथ नंबर 224 पर बीजेपी के लोग बूथ कैप्चर कर रहे हैं मामले का संज्ञान लेकर कठोरतम कार्रवाई करें चुनाव आयोग।@ECISVEEP@ceoup

— Samajwadi Party (@samajwadiparty) March 7, 2022

वाराणसी जिले की वाराणसी साउथ 389 विधानसभा के बूथ नंबर 222 पर फर्जी वोटिंग कराई जा रही है मामले का संज्ञान लेकर तत्काल कार्रवाई करते हुए सुचारू एवं निष्पक्ष मतदान सुनिश्चित कराएं चुनाव आयोग।@ECISVEEP @ceoup @dmvaranasi2016

— Samajwadi Party (@samajwadiparty) March 7, 2022

Once voting is complete, the EVMs are sealed and stored in a strong room that is guarded till the counting begins, on March 10 in this case of the candidate or a representative, who will be allowed to put their seals or locks again after the room is closed. According to some local reports there have been some discrepancies in the voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT slips as they are known ) reported as well. A voter is seen telling a journalist that he was given a slip that disclosed identities of the voter, and who he voted for in Booth 420, Varanasi North (388) at the Muslim Inter College. 

Hijacking the democratic right is the only way out for the people in power. Election commission must act swiftly Booth 420, Varanasi North (388) @ECISVEEP @ndtvindia @TheLallantop the booth number says it all. pic.twitter.com/I2uZLiKOua

— Tehcno_scrub (@Alian172) March 7, 2022

Political activist Yogendra Yadav has also shared a video from March 6, allegeding that “It is Gujarat Police who has come to conclude the elections in UP” the clip was reportedly “on the route from Narayanpur, District Mirzapur to Varanasi. The policeman wearing the Gujarat Police Id on his shoulder claims “Gujarat people will not be against… Yogi will come in UP” and when asked if that was why he came here [to UP] replies confidently “yes that is why we have come [here]” adding “let them record [a video] Yogi will come”. 

देखिए! यह गुजरात पुलिस है जो यूपी में चुनाव संपन्न करने आई है।
यह वीडियो आज 6 मार्च का है, नारायणपुर,जिला मिर्जापुर से वाराणसी मार्ग पर।
अब चुनाव आयोग का क्या कहना है? pic.twitter.com/MJV3bU792b

— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) March 6, 2022

गुजरात पुलिस की उपस्थिति और तैनाती के और साक्ष्य https://t.co/UGDAlRap0K pic.twitter.com/sRhDl09Cdx

— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) March 7, 2022

While District Magistrate, Varanasi had claimed this was a ‘rumour’ On March 7 Mirzapur Police responded and posted that “the said constable has been removed from duty point and necessary action is being taken”.

कृपया अफवाह ना फैलायें। गुजरात पुलिस की कोई भी कंपनी वाराणसी जनपद में निर्वाचन ड्यूटी या किसी अन्य ड्यूटी के लिए नहीं आई है।

— DM VARANASI (@dmvaranasi2016) March 7, 2022

उक्त ट्वीट के सम्बन्ध में अवगत कराना है कि उक्त आरक्षी को ड्यूटी प्वाइंट से हटा दिया गया है तथा आवश्यक कार्यवाही की जा रही है ।

— Mirzapur Police (@mirzapurpolice) March 7, 2022

Allegations of faulty voting are not new, public interest lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan had shared on March 1 that votes of some women voters were purportedly cast by someone else.

And who is this fellow who appears to be casting votes of these poor unsuspecting women @ECISVEEP? pic.twitter.com/deppttO7jh

— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) March 1, 2022

Related

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The post “Self-confession of 200 EVMS replaced,” ECI registers a case appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Just days after an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) was found in a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader’s car in Karimganj, four EVMs and an equal number of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines were recovered from the home of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader in Howrah in Tuesday, the day of the third phase of the assembly elections in the state.

Villagers in Tulsiberia, that is located in the Uluberia Uttar constituency informed the police when they spotted a vehicle with an Election Commission sticker outside the home of a local TMC leader, reports The Telegraph. The EC official in question, Tapan Sarkar, claimed that he had reached the area very late and found the polling booth closed. He said he decided to stay with a relative as he needed a safe place. Sarkar has now been suspended.

Phase three was far from uneventful. The day before the election, the body of a BJP worker, 25-year-old Satyajit Singha was found hanging at a deserted place near his home in Sitaidighi village of Uttar Dinajpur district. The BJP blamed the TMC for Singha’s murder. A post-mortem has been ordered.

Meanwhile, on polling day, the TMC alleged that BJP goons heckled and threatened Sujata Mandal, the TMC candidate from Arambagh constituency. She was allegedly chased by men wielding sharp weapons and bamboo poles.

Petrifying visuals of @BJP4India goons attacking TMC candidate #SujataMandal, openly abusing her & threatening her with rods & sickle. If they have the guts to do this to a female candidate, imagine what they can do to your daughters. This is their ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ pic.twitter.com/uBh4oTyNeR

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) April 6, 2021

But the BJP has denied the claim saying it was villagers who tried to drive Mandal away after hre threatened them with a pistol. The Chief Electoral Officer has sought a report.

Dr. Nirmal Maji too came under attack in Uttar Uluberia. The Times of India reports that he was attacked by men wielding sticks and iron rods. His security guard reportedly required 22 stitches.

In Hooghly, BJP worker Deepak Adak of Krishnaganj in Goghat claimed TMC workers assaulted him and his mother who succumbed to her injuries. He said that the men hit his mother on the head with the butt of a pistol and kicked her repeatedly. But, the TMC denies any involvement in the incident.

Related:

Battleground Bengal: Suspicious death, clashes at polling booths mark phase two of Assembly Elections

Battleground Bengal: EVM malfunction, secret tapes mark first phase of Assembly Elections

The post Battleground Bengal: EVMs, VVPATs recovered from TMC leader’s home appeared first on SabrangIndia.