UP Politics: Voting is the biggest right in the democratic system of the country, but when clouds of doubt start hovering over the use of this right, then politics is sure to heat up. Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati once again made a big statement regarding the matching of electronic voting machines i.e. EVM and VVPAT slips.
He has clearly said that the real strength of democracy rests on the trust of the people. If there is any hesitation in the mind of any citizen whether the vote given by him has been given to the right candidate or not, then it becomes a serious situation for the entire system. He says that the electoral process should be so clean and clear that every section of the society has unwavering faith in it.
The journey from the old era of ballot papers to machines
Citing electoral history, Mayawati said that in India, elections were conducted through ballot papers for decades after independence. In those times, the voter used to put the slip in the ballot box after stamping it with his hand, due to which he had complete confidence in his choice. Later, with time, the Election Commission adopted modern technology and started the practice of EVM. The BSP chief stressed that his party has been objecting to the practice of machine voting since day one. He believes that modern changes may bring convenience, but in the electoral system, fairness and respect for public sentiments are more important than convenience.
#WATCH | Lucknow, UP: BSP Chief Mayawati says, “The deteriorating law and order situation, frequently arising from various issues in the national capital, Delhi, as well as in the neighboring state of Punjab and other states, is a matter of grave concern for the country. To… pic.twitter.com/77vT4yTrx4
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It is important to maintain the trust of the weaker section
The BSP supremo drew special attention to the fact that India is a country full of diversity, where even today a large section of society is economically and socially backward. Many of these voters are less educated or live in rural areas. He said that when a poor, deprived or laborer stands in a queue and casts his vote, there should not be even an iota of doubt in his mind. If such sections start doubting the electoral process, their faith in democratic institutions will begin to waver. Therefore, it is the primary responsibility of the Election Commission to strongly convey the message of purity of the system to the last person of the society.
Demand for complete counting of VVPAT slips
Mayawati has also taken a tough stance regarding the VVPAT system added to verify voting. He said that merely looking at the slip issued after casting the vote does not make the system transparent. Under the current rules, not all the slips are counted at every polling station, but only selected machines are tallied. Mayawati says that unless there is a 100% matching of the total votes recorded in the machines at every booth and the slips from the VVPAT, the apprehensions cannot be completely eliminated. The voter should be completely satisfied that the mark shown on the screen and the decision recorded in the box are the same.
Technical security and election transparency
Referring to the possibilities of technical tampering in electronic equipment, the BSP President said that there has been a debate around the world regarding election security. Although he did not present any separate technical document or report in this regard, he said that when it comes to the mandate of crores of people, no question should be ignored. He urged the Election Commission and related constitutional institutions to come forward and permanently resolve all these doubts.
Public trust is the real foundation of democracy
Concluding her statement, Mayawati said that elections are not just a medium to form a government or make any party win or defeat. This is a symbol of the faith that crores of citizens have on the system of their country. He reiterated that Bahujan Samaj Party is continuously raising these issues so that the democracy of the country becomes stronger. If the standards of transparency regarding the election process are raised further, it will not only remove the apprehensions of the political parties but will also increase the morale of the common voter manifold.
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