In a provocative statement ahead of the announcement of assembly election dates for Jharkhand and Maharashtra, Congress leader Rashid Alvi has called for a return to ballot papers, expressing concerns over the integrity of electronic voting machines (EVMs). Alvi warned that the current political landscape under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could allow for electoral manipulation, stating, “If EVMs are used, the BJP government and the Election Commission can do anything.”
Alvi’s remarks drew a stark comparison to allegations against Israel, where he claimed that the nation had previously manipulated technology to carry out lethal operations. He stated, “If Israel can kill people by rigging their pagers, then anything can happen with EVMs.” The Congress leader emphasized the need for the opposition in Maharashtra to push for paper ballots, cautioning that “the BJP government and the Election Commission can do anything” if EVMs remain in use.
The Congress leader further elaborated on his concerns, alleging that the Prime Minister’s strong ties with Israel contribute to a troubling context in which technology could be weaponized for electoral purposes. “The PM has very good relations with Israel. Israel is an expert in such things,” he asserted, suggesting that the integrity of the electoral process is at stake.
Echoing Alvi’s sentiments, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has also raised alarms about the Election Commission’s independence, alleging that it operates under pressure from the BJP. JMM leader Manoj Pandey remarked, “The election is to be announced today, but BJP leaders got information about it yesterday. This is a very serious matter. Does the commission work at the behest of BJP leaders? It is serious to keep the commission as a puppet.”
The JMM further expressed its concerns on social media, tweeting, “The boss has set everything up. What a scene! @ECISVEEP, will you say something?” Their comments highlight increasing scrutiny of the Election Commission’s impartiality and the political dynamics influencing upcoming polls.
As the Election Commission of India prepares to announce the dates for the assembly elections, these accusations add to a growing narrative questioning the integrity of the electoral process. The debate over the use of EVMs versus paper ballots continues to fuel political tensions, with parties on both sides preparing for a contentious electoral battle in Jharkhand and Maharashtra.
