The RJD in Bihar has urged the Election Commission to reconsider the adoption of ballot papers over electronic voting machines (EVMs) “to ensure free and fair polls”. During discussions with an EC delegation, led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, the party emphasised the importance of transparency in elections, advocating for the use of ballot papers. The party’s request, articulated by state vice-president Vrishan Patel and other RJD leaders, emphasised the necessity for transparent electoral processes, as reported by the PTI.
However, recognising the current use of EVMs, the RJD stressed the importance of displaying Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips to voters after casting their votes. Furthermore, they urged that these slips be securely stored in sealed boxes until the counting process. Additionally, the RJD proposed that postal ballots be counted before EVMs.
According to the PTI, the demands made by the RJD included the identification of sensitive polling booths in consultation with all-party delegations and ensuring the participation of marginalised communities, such as Dalits and tribals, in the voting process.
The JD(U) chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar requested that polls be conducted more efficiently in the state, arguing that scheduling them in phases created several issues.
The JD(U)’s former national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lalan said “We urged the EC to do away with the practice of holding elections in Bihar in seven phases. It puts more burden on the state’s resources. We have requested that polling be completed in the state in not more than three phases,” PTI reported.
BJP, JD(U), CPI(M) On Ballot Papers Over EVMs
The BJP, in alliance with JD(U), demanded among other things “shifting of all polling stations which are set up inside premises of religious organisations”. The Congress also echoed concerns on EVMs, CPI(ML) Liberation, and CPI(M), all alliance partners of the RJD.
In a statement, the CPI(ML) Liberation identified low voter turnout in “areas dominated by feudal lords,” called for the installation of voting booths in communities home to Dalits and other marginalised groups, and suggested the use of “mobile polling stations” if proper buildings were not available in these areas.
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As per PTI, the CPI(M) brought attention to a media report that the BJP had “close links” with three of the directors of the company that made electronic voting machines, jeopardising the EC’s ability to conduct fair elections. According to a CPI(M) statement, the party also requested the Election Commission to look into this and restrict central agencies like the ED and CBI, which were “terrorising” opponents of the ruling BJP at the Centre.
The Congress, apart from seeking voting through ballot papers and raising concerns about EVMs, alerted to the EC “constitutional injustice faced by more than 13 lakh people in the state, whose names have been wrongfully removed from electoral rolls”.
