YS Jagan Mohan Reddy Challenges Election Results, Urges Return to Paper Ballots

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has raised concerns regarding the recent Haryana assembly election results, asserting that they defy popular perception. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Reddy suggested that the election outcome in Haryana mirrors the recent political scenario in Andhra Pradesh, where similar doubts have been raised.

Expressing skepticism over the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Reddy called for a return to paper ballots to ensure electoral transparency and instill confidence among voters. “In a democracy like ours, democracy should not only be prevalent but also be seen to be thriving,” Reddy remarked, emphasizing the need to “go back to Paper Ballot.” His comments come in the wake of the Congress party’s unexpected defeat in Haryana, where pre-election surveys had predicted a victory for the party.

Reddy’s statements align with Congress’ claims of “EVM manipulation” during the Haryana polls. Senior Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh, have voiced similar grievances, urging the Election Commission of India (ECI) to investigate alleged irregularities in the voting process. Pawan Khera, a spokesperson for the Congress, disclosed that the party has lodged complaints concerning discrepancies in vote counting, particularly in relation to the performance of EVMs.

The controversy has prompted further calls for a reevaluation of the use of EVMs in Indian elections. Former Chief Minister of Haryana, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, also expressed surprise at the results, questioning the integrity of the vote-counting process. Hooda noted inconsistencies between postal ballots and EVM results, which he claimed resulted in delays at several counting centers.

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy argued that India’s adoption of paper ballots could align with practices in developed nations such as the USA, UK, and Germany, thereby enhancing electoral integrity. He urged lawmakers to support this transition, highlighting the positive role it could play in bolstering public confidence in electoral processes.

The Election Commission of India, however, has refuted claims of electoral malfeasance, defending the robustness of the EVM system as compliant with statutory and regulatory frameworks. In a formal response to Congress’ allegations, the EC depicted the accusations as an “undemocratic rejection of the will of the people.”