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Mumbai: Election Commission of India (ECI) officials are tight-lipped as Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Nana Patole on Tuesday directed the State Government to frame law whereby the voters in the state can select the option of casting their vote either by using paper ballot or by Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). The Speaker gave the directions while chairing a meeting at Vidhan Bhavan over a petition/memorandum submitted by Nagpur based activist Pradeep Mahadevrao Uke.
Arguing the case on behalf of Pradeep Uke, Advocate Satish Uke argued that the voters in Maharashtra should have the right to get an alternate option of paper ballot to the EVM. He further argued that the people should be allowed to decide on which of the two options is more trustworthy. It is the responsibility of the state legislature to take note of the public sentiments and enact the law accordingly, added Adv Satish Uke.
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He further stated that there are many issues raised about the functioning of the EVMs. The experts argue that the voters should have the option to choose between the traditional paper ballot. Advocate Satish Uke stated that as per the provisions of the Article 328 of the Constitution of India the state legislature has the powers to enact laws regarding elections in the state.
Citing the provisions of Article 328, Advocate Satish Uke added that the state legislature should enact law and provide the option of paper ballot other than EVM due to which voters can exercise the option of casting their vote either using the paper ballot or the EVM. He added that exercising the option will lead to more trust being reposed in the elections and election results.
Minister for Medical Education Amit Deshmukh who attended the meeting remarked that many developed countries have rejected the EVM. Legislative Assembly Speaker Nana Patole directed the officials to take immediate steps while adhering to all legal formalities and commence the process of framing of the law.
Speaking to TheNews21 on conditions of anonymity an ECI official clarified that while the state legislature is empowered to enact election laws in respect of Local Self Governing Bodies (LSGs, civic bodies) in the state, the powers to enact election laws related to Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha rest with the Parliament. He however, declined to comment upon the demand for the state legislature enact law regarding Assembly elections.