NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Jitendra Awhad has leveled serious allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of tampering with electronic voting machine (EVM) data during the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. Awhad raised these claims during a press conference, expressing concerns over discrepancies in polling data and their potential to undermine democracy.
Awhad alleged that after polling concluded on election day, there was a sudden and unexplained increase in voter turnout in certain districts, with numbers rising significantly between 6 PM and 11 PM. He questioned how such an increase could occur without irregularities. He highlighted that the delay in releasing polling statistics and patterns of vote concentration in specific constituencies point towards potential manipulation of EVMs, which he called “a man-made system prone to tampering”.
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These allegations come in the context of a fiercely contested election where the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena alliance (Mahayuti) secured a majority. Awhad also noted that inconsistencies in voting outcomes, such as the NCP losing several seats in districts where they performed well in Lok Sabha elections, require scrutiny. He warned that such actions threaten the foundations of democracy, likening the situation to authoritarian regimes.
The ECI, in response to ongoing concerns about EVM reliability, has previously defended the integrity of its processes. However, Awhad’s remarks add to a growing chorus of voices demanding transparency and accountability in India’s electoral systems.
This controversy underscores the rising tensions in Maharashtra’s political landscape, marked by factional splits within the NCP and evolving power dynamics. While Awhad’s allegations are yet to be substantiated, they amplify the call for a review of EVM usage and data security in elections.
Web Team C6N
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