Latest news with #VVPATs
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Don't need third person to decide on tie-up': Uddhav on alliance speculation with Raj Thackeray; quashes rumours of mediator
MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday dismissed speculation about any third-party involvement in a potential alliance with his cousin Raj Thackeray's MNS. During his New Delhi visit, when asked if Raj was also going to meet Congress neta Rahul Gandhi, Uddhav said the two brothers are capable of taking their own decisions and don't need any third-party intervention. On being asked if Raj will also attend the INDI alliance meeting and meet Rahul Gandhi, Uddhav said, "Both the brothers are capable enough. We will do whatever we have to do. There is no need for any third person." Uddhav criticised the BJP and PM Modi over the tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump and on allowing India-Pakistan cricket matches. "The govt has no ethics left. Until Pakistan stops its terrorist activities, cricket should not be played with Pakistan nor any relations maintained. Sushma Swaraj had also made a similar comment. The govt gives us lessons in patriotism and the children of all ministers, including Jay Shah, go to Dubai and watch India-Pakistan matches because they are not patriots," Uddhav said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This new air conditioner cools down a room in just seconds News of the Discovery Undo He also criticised the BJP and Election Commission (EC) for deciding not to use VVPATS for local body polls in Maharashtra. "We objected to the use of EVMs, but now another opacity has been introduced by removing VVPAT machines. Then why hold elections? Announce that BJP has won so many seats. The button is being pressed, the light is on, the receipt is visible, but where is the registration? It was clearly visible on the ballot paper. Now if you are going to remove VVPATs, why bother holding elections?" he said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
SEC: VVPAT not suited to multi-member ward format
Pune: State election commissioner Dinesh Waghmare on Thursday clarified that Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines cannot be used in the upcoming civic elections due to technical and structural limitations of the current electoral framework. Speaking to TOI after a review meeting at the divisional commissioner's office, he said, "VVPATs are designed for a single-member electoral system. Municipal corporation, councils, and panchayat elections are conducted under a multi-member ward system. These machines are not compatible with such a format." His comments came a day after the opposition demanded VVPAT be used to enhance transparency in the polls. The opposition suggested that if VVPATs were not feasible, the EC should revert to traditional ballot papers. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Waghmare ruled out both options. "Apart from the mismatch in system design, logistical hurdles such as a large number of candidates per ward make VVPAT deployment unworkable. There is no proposal to return to ballot papers. The elections will be held using EVMs," he said. The SEC has initiated pre-election reviews across all divisions with municipal polls likely after Diwali. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perfectly Timed Photos You Won't Believe Are Real Read More Undo The commission has sought additional EVMs from the Election Commission of India and the Madhya Pradesh Election Commission. "They will be available before the elections," Waghmare said. He also assessed the election preparedness of all five districts in the Pune division and instructed officials to ensure comprehensive planning for free, fair, and peaceful polls. "Priority must be given to voter lists, polling stations, EVMs and voter awareness," he said. The meeting was attended by SEC secretary Suresh Kakani, divisional commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar, district collectors, and municipal commissioners. Waghmare noted that this is the first time that elections to over 650 local bodies in the state will be held simultaneously. "Voters' lists prepared by the Election Commission of India will be used and must be divided meticulously—ward-wise and centre-wise—to ensure accuracy and improve turnout," he said. More polling stations will be needed due to the multi-member format, but consolidation is possible as per SEC norms. "Booths must be accessible and equipped for all voters, including those with disabilities," Waghmare added. Districts have been directed to assess availability of returning officers, assistant returning officers, and polling personnel, and ensure all infrastructure is ready. Kakani emphasized the early verification and security of EVMs. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
AAP flays EC decision of not using VVPAT machines for local body elections
The Aam Aadmi Party has objected to the decision of the Maharashtra Election Commission to not use VVPAT machines for local body elections to the municipal corporations, Zilla Parishads and panchayat. The AAP demanded that either VVPAT machines should be used or the old method of ballot paper. 'The VVPAT machine is directly connected to the electronic voting machine. The VVPAT machine creates a paper slip visible to the voters, on which information about which party and symbol the voter has voted is recorded. The voter can inspect this slip and this slip is deposited in the machine,' said AAP spokesperson Mukund Kirdat. Regarding the counting of VVPATs, the opposition has always demanded a physical counting of fifty percent or more machines. Transparency and voter confidence have also been considered important by the Supreme Court. In such a situation, it would be wrong to use only EVMs in local body elections, AAP said. 'Verification is necessary for any valid measuring device. If there is any malfunction or disruption in the voting machine or its use for any reason, how will the votes be verified? A machine that cannot be verified is declared unfit for measurement…The Supreme Court said in its 2024 judgment that the VVPAT is essential to guarantee transparency and integrity in the system. Allowing the voter to see the VVPAT slip through a glass window assures them their vote was cast and recorded. It strengthens the principle of vote verification, which increases the overall accountability of the election process. Hence, local elections must be held on EVM machines linked with VVPAT,' said Kirdat. 'During state elections, many candidates have cast doubts about EVM machines and demanded counting of VVPAT slips. Hence, we are demanding that if VVPAT is not available , voting be done on ballot papers. Otherwise, there is a fear that many issues and disputes will arise during the elections and during the counting, and the voters' faith in democracy will decrease,' Kirdat said.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Congress wants VVPATs, warns of court route in ward demarcation not transparent
Demanding the use of VVPAT machines in local body polls and transparency in the exercise of demarcation of ward boundaries, opposition Congress on Wednesday targeted the State Election commission and state government. 'The state election commissioner clarified that there will be no VVPAT machines in the upcoming local body elections in the state. The reason given for this is that there will be more candidates in one ward, voters will have to cast four votes at a time, so the process will take time and there is a possibility of crowding at the polling station. But VVPAT is necessary for the elections to be held in a transparent manner. Voters should know who they voted for,' said Congress legislative leader Vijay Wadettiwar. He demanded that local body elections in the state should not be held without VVPAT machines. 'If these machines are not available, elections should be held on ballot papers,' he said. While Wadettiwar targeted the SEC, Congress state chief Harshvardhan Sapkal wrote to the state's Urban Development Department and Rural Development department, which are currently engaged in the exercise of demarcation of wards. In his letter, Sapkal said, 'The work of demarcation of ward boundaries is currently undergoing. It is important to ensure that no political interference is entertained in this process…it is important that the staff working in this process should not be subjected to political pressure and the work takes place as per the rules.' Sapkal mentioned that the party will be forced to approach the courts if the department fails to ensure transparency in the process. 'It will be the sole responsibility of the State government if that happens,' he said. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai on Wednesday also urged the Election Commission to conduct Maharashtra's upcoming local body elections using ballot papers, citing the absence of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines. In a letter to the EC, Desai argued that without VVPATs, the transparency and credibility of the election process are compromised. He stated that free and fair elections are not possible without allowing voters to verify their votes, and questioned how voters could be confident in the system without a verifiable paper trail. Desai also pointed out that in several other states, local body polls are conducted using ballot papers, and Maharashtra should follow suit. He criticised the EC for failing to address concerns raised after the previous assembly elections, and reiterated that voters have the right to know where their vote has been cast.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Use VVPATs in Maharashtra local body polls or go back to ballot papers: Congress's Wadettiwar
The opposition Congress on Wednesday (August 6, 2025) demanded that the upcoming local body elections in Maharashtra be conducted using VVPAT machines to ensure transparency in the voting process. If the deployment of VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) machines is not feasible, the elections to rural and urban civic bodies should be held using ballot papers, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Vijay Wadettiwar said. He was reacting to State Election Commissioner (SEC) Dinesh Waghmare's remarks on Tuesday (August 5, 2025) that VVPATs would not be used in the local body polls due to logistical challenges, including a large number of candidates in each ward and requirement for electors to cast four votes at one time. The use of VVPATs (connected with EVMs through a printer port) without addressing logistical and human resources challenges could lead to long queues and crowding at polling booths, the commissioner had contended. Talking to reporters, Mr. Wadettiwar sought to counter the SEC's arguments, stressing electors must be able to verify their votes, and only VVPAT-enabled EVMs can ensure high level of transparency. "If VVPATs are not available, then ballot papers should be used. The integrity of the election process must not be compromised," the Congress MLA asserted. VVPATs are connected with EVMs through a printer port, which records vote data and counters in a paper slip to verify the correct recording of vote by the EVM. Mr. Waghmare has said the much-awaited elections to local bodies will be held in phases, with the electoral process expected to begin after Diwali. Polls to zilla parishads, panchayat samitis, nagar parishads and municipal corporations are due in the State for long. Replying to a query, Mr. Wadettiwar defended Congress Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi's right to question the central government on matters such as Chinese incursions. He strongly disagreed with the critical observations made by the Supreme Court against the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha over his remarks on the Army. Such comments by judges could erode public trust in the judiciary, Mr. Wadettiwar argued. "Judges should not issue certificates of patriotism. It is the opposition's duty to question the government in a democracy," he affirmed. The Congress leader expressed concern over the collegium's recommendation to appoint a former BJP spokesperson as a Bombay High Court judge, maintaining such developments could damage the impartial image of the judiciary.
