File image of Congress chief Vijay Wadettiwar.
| Photograph Credit score: PTI
The opposition Congress on Wednesday (August 6, 2025) demanded that the upcoming native physique elections in Maharashtra be performed utilizing VVPAT machines to make sure transparency within the voting course of.
If the deployment of VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Path) machines shouldn’t be possible, the elections to rural and concrete civic our bodies must be held utilizing poll papers, Congress Legislature Occasion (CLP) chief Vijay Wadettiwar mentioned.
He was reacting to State Election Commissioner (SEC) Dinesh Waghmare’s remarks on Tuesday (August 5, 2025) that VVPATs wouldn’t be used within the native physique polls because of logistical challenges, together with numerous candidates in every ward and requirement for electors to forged 4 votes at one time.
The usage of VVPATs (linked with EVMs by means of a printer port) with out addressing logistical and human assets challenges might result in lengthy queues and crowding at polling cubicles, the commissioner had contended.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Wadettiwar sought to counter the SEC’s arguments, stressing electors should have the ability to confirm their votes, and solely VVPAT-enabled EVMs can guarantee excessive stage of transparency.
“If VVPATs aren’t out there, then poll papers must be used. The integrity of the election course of should not be compromised,” the Congress MLA asserted.
VVPATs are linked with EVMs by means of a printer port, which data vote knowledge and counters in a paper slip to confirm the right recording of vote by the EVM.
Mr. Waghmare has mentioned the much-awaited elections to native our bodies can be held in phases, with the electoral course of anticipated to start after Diwali.
Polls to zilla parishads, panchayat samitis, nagar parishads and municipal companies are due within the State for lengthy.
Replying to a question, Mr. Wadettiwar defended Congress Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi’s proper to query the central authorities on issues resembling Chinese language incursions.
He strongly disagreed with the crucial observations made by the Supreme Court docket in opposition to the Chief of Opposition within the Lok Sabha over his remarks on the Military.
Such feedback by judges might erode public belief within the judiciary, Mr. Wadettiwar argued.
“Judges shouldn’t challenge certificates of patriotism. It’s the opposition’s obligation to query the federal government in a democracy,” he affirmed.
The Congress chief expressed concern over the collegium’s suggestion to nominate a former BJP spokesperson as a Bombay Excessive Court docket decide, sustaining such developments might harm the neutral picture of the judiciary.
Printed – August 06, 2025 06:47 pm IST
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