Latest news with #VVPATs
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
YSRCP demands probe into EVM functioning, calls for return to ballot paper voting across India
A YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) delegation led by Parliamentary Party leader Y. V. Subba Reddy, along with MPs P.V. Mithun Reddy and Bellana Chandrasekhar, met the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Delhi on Thursday (July 03) to express concerns over the conduct of the 2024 General Elections in Andhra Pradesh. The YSRCP leaders raised serious doubts about the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), citing technical anomalies, mismatches in VVPAT slips, and a suspicious last-hour spike in voter turnout. In Andhra Pradesh, the polling percentage increased in many constituencies after 6 p.m. Out of around 4 crore votes across the State, approximately 51 lakh votes were cast in the last hour alone, which raises several suspicions. By the end of polling, the batteries were charged to 80%. However, by the time of counting, 40 days later, we observed that the charge had increased to nearly 98%. 'We are also demanding an investigation into this matter,' they said, adding: 'We are demanding an investigation into this. However, the Election Commission officials firmly stated that comparing VVPATs is not possible.' The delegation demanded a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Andhra Pradesh, similar to Bihar, and sought a shift back to ballot paper voting, citing its continued use in countries like the U.S., Germany, and others. They argued that the credibility of India's electoral process can only be restored through transparent, manual voting. Despite assurances from the ECI to examine some of the data, the YSRCP maintains that future elections must be held through ballot paper to ensure fairness and public trust.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
EC to set over 1 lakh polling booths for 2026 assembly elections
1 2 Kolkata: EC would set up over 1 lakh polling booths across the state for the 2026 assembly elections, said Bengal chief electoral officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal on Tuesday. He said there were around 81,000 booths at present, but with EC's decision to have a maximum of 1,200 voters per booth, the number was expected to go up by over 22,000. There would be 309 booths at the Kaliganj bypoll, which will be held on Thursday, Agarwal said, adding the number of booths had to be increased from 261. Chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had at a recent meeting in Delhi decided to cap the number of voters at 1,200 per booth. The poll panel wants voters to be able to find their booths within a kilometre or two. Consequently, the number of EVMs and VVPATs to be used will also increase. Bengal now has 7.6 crore total voters; 3.8 crore are male and 3.7 crore female. The number is expected to rise with EC pushing for a major voter enrolment drive from July. Booth level officers will be going door to door to help everyone aged 18 and above enrol on the voters' list. They will also make note of those who passed away or shifted homes, so that bogus voters are removed for the list. The location of the additional 22,000 booths will be finalised by July. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Todos os idosos deveriam ter um desse no banheiro! Veja só! Evite quedas e escorregões Saiba Mais Undo Meetings will then be held with political parties so there are no objections later when polling is declared. Consultations are ongoing with political parties and electoral registration officers (EROs) and sub-divisional officers (SDOs) on the matter. EROs are also holding talks with residents of multi-storied buildings where there are community halls, so that polling booths can be set up there, and also cater to nearby slums and housing societies. SDOs are looking for open spaces where booths can be installed for slum-dwellers.
