Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has requested Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal to call a meeting of all political parties and the State Election Commission (SEC) to explore the possibility of using ballot papers in the upcoming Delhi municipal elections.
The move follows the Chief Minister’s allegations about tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) possibly leading to the transfer of around 20-25% AAP votes to the SAD-BJP combine in Punjab.
Call for meeting
Mr. Kejriwal told reporters that things could be worked out if the SEC accepted the proposal. If not, he said, the idea would be junked.
“Only the L-G has the power to change rules about the mode of elections. The commission has said in a report that it will be difficult to effect any change at this stage. So, I have requested the L-G to call a meeting involving the AAP, the BJP, the Congress, and the commission,” Mr. Kejriwal said.
In his letter to Mr. Baijal, the Chief Minister said “As the matter is of utmost urgency, the L-G is requested to immediately amend the relevant rules to provide for elections by paper ballot so that the forthcoming MCD elections are conducted in a free and fair manner.”
He also said that in case the L-G thought otherwise, a meeting of all political parties and the SEC be convened to discuss the issue.
On Tuesday, Mr. Kejriwal had written to the Delhi Chief Secretary, directing him to approach the SEC with the request to conduct the municipal polls using ballot papers.
Municipal elections in the Capital are scheduled for April 22.
The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Manoj Tiwari, meanwhile, said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener seemed to be “unable to accept” defeat in Punjab and Goa as he also feared loss in the Delhi civic elections.
‘He [CM] is an autocrat’
Terming him an “autocrat”, the Delhi BJP chief said Mr. Kejriwal “never believed in democratic voting”.
“The way he is behaving proves that he can go to any extent to create an alibi to divert focus from his party’s poor electoral performance. First, he showed his autocratic nature by violating constitutional norms. Now, he is challenging the democratic fabric of the country itself,” Mr. Tiwari alleged.
He further mocked Mr. Kejriwal’s attempt at “damaging the credibility of the world famous Election Commission of India” and the electoral process.
Congress reacts
According to the Congress, the Election Commission (EC) should probe the EVM tampering charges made by some parties to ensure that voters’ confidence is not shattered.
“If any party has doubts over efficacy of EVMs, it is the EC’s duty to hold a probe,” said Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev.
‘EC should probe’
“India is the largest democracy and we take pride in that. We should not allow any blot on it. The EC should hold an investigation and we do not have any objection,” Ms. Dev added.
Asked if the Congress was ready for a probe in Punjab, which is were the AAP is alleging EVM tampering, she said her party had the confidence and did not fear any investigation.
