Another blow for Arvind Kejriwal: Anna Hazare backs voting by EVMs

Anna Hazare slammed Arvind Kejriwal for urging Election Commission to conduct upcoming MCD polls in the national capital using ballot papers

By: Karan Nanda |
March 15, 2017 4:51 pm

Social activist Anna Hazare on March 15 slammed his former protege and Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for urging Election Commission to conduct upcoming MCD polls in the national capital using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

“Ballot voting is regressive and very time-consuming method,” Anna Hazare told a leading news channel, adding that “EVMs are less time consuming and a better option than ballot voting.”

Earlier on March 14, Aam Aadmi patron Arvind Kejriwal, following the crushing defeat in Punjab and Goa, urged the Election commission to replace electronic voting machines with ballot papers for Delhi civic polls.

Watch what all Anna Hazare said in the below video:

Anna Hazare says ballot voting is regressive. #Watch a @TimesNow exclusive pic.twitter.com/TuzqK2ZE26

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) March 15, 2017

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Kejriwal alleged that votes of his Aam Aadmi Party were stolen in Punjab.“Through the EVM is it possible that 20-25 per cent vote share meant for AAP was transferred to SAD-BJP alliance. Election Commission’s responsibility is to keep people’s faith in EVM. They cannot shirk responsibility,” Kejriwal said.

“Through the EVM is it possible that 20-25 per cent vote share meant for AAP was transferred to SAD-BJP alliance. Election Commission’s responsibility is to keep people’s faith in EVM. They cannot shirk responsibility,” Kejriwal said.

Soon after Kejriwal’s allegations, which was state Election Commissioner SK Srivastava rejected his request for a paper ballot and said that the EVMs will be used in the upcoming municipal corporation elections in the national capital.

“EVMs will be used in the upcoming municipal corporation elections in Delhi,” said Srivastava. The polls will be held on April 22 and the results will be announced on April 25, EC official told media persons.

Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, too has been pretty vocal about the electronic voting system and allegedly held that the machine was tampered with following BJPs victory in the recently concluded Uttar Pradesh polls. She has decided to move the court so as to “save democracy” in the country.