In Chhattisgarh, Congress wants to conduct Lok Sabha elections through ballot paper instead of EVM. Former CM Bhupesh Baghel has asked the workers to also nominate themselves as candidates. If more than 384 candidates are in the fray from any seat, then the Election Commission will have to conduct voting through ballot paper.
There is political turmoil after this statement of Bhupesh Baghel. BJP has reached the Election Commission against this. BJP alleges that Bhupesh is instigating against EVM. Do you understand what is the mathematics of conducting elections through ballot paper instead of EVM?
First let us know what Bhupesh said in his speech?
In fact, Bhupesh Baghel, who was made the Lok Sabha candidate from Rajnandgaon, had reached the workers conference of Durg Lok Sabha in Patan on Tuesday. He explained the rules of Lok Sabha elections to the workers there. It was also said that, if there are more than 384 candidates from one seat then the election will be held through ballot paper. In such a situation, Congress’s victory is certain.
He said that this time he does not want to let the Lok Sabha elections be held through EVMs. If elections are held through ballot paper, the reality of BJP will be revealed. We are told that when we lose, we raise questions on EVMs. The truth is that Congress’s stand from the beginning has been that elections should be held through ballot because EVMs can be hacked.
Block Congress also passed the resolution
Bhupesh Baghel says that during the conference, the workers themselves raised the demand that elections using EVMs should be stopped. In the recently held assembly elections, the lead of Congress was not 20 thousand, but 55 to 60 thousand, but it reduced because of EVM. Block Congress workers have also passed a proposal to field more than 384 candidates in the elections.
Now let us know whether there is really any such rule that elections can be conducted through ballot paper instead of EVM. Even if so, what could be the practical difficulties in implementing it?
What will happen if 384 candidates are in the fray from the same Lok Sabha?
Names of 16 candidates can appear in one balloting unit of EVM. If this number is more than 16 then the second balloting unit is attached parallel to the first balloting unit. Similarly, if the number of candidates is more than 32, then a third unit can be attached and if it is more than 48, a fourth unit can be attached, in which a total of 64 candidates can be named.
Regarding this, Chief Electoral Officer Reena Baba Saheb Kangale says that it is possible to include the names of 384 candidates including NOTA in 24 balloting units. Regarding increasing the number of candidates, he said that if something like this happens then arrangements will be made.
What kind of problems can arise in elections due to ballot paper?
- Voters will have lots of ballots. When the names of more than 384 candidates are in the ballot papers, it may be difficult to find and seal one name.
- There is a possibility of the ballot paper being canceled due to incorrect inking and wrong folding.
- Fear of booth capturing.
- A large number of ballot boxes will have to be installed and additional arrangements will have to be made for their security.
- In practice, it would be difficult for the polling personnel in any booth to save so many ballot papers for 384 candidates and give them to the voters after matching them correctly.
- Voting will continue till late. There will be crowd in polling stations.
- Results come quickly in EVM. Counting of ballot paper will take more time and more employees will also be required.
Congress is continuously raising questions on EVM
Congress is continuously raising questions regarding EVM. During the end of Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi had said that Raja’s soul is in EVM. Even after the defeat in the assembly elections held 3 months ago, EVM was blamed. Before this, many national leaders of Congress have also recommended holding elections through ballot paper instead of EVM.
What did the Election Commission say about EVM?
The day the dates of Lok Sabha elections were announced in the country. On the same day, during the press conference on the question raised on EVM, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, while reciting a few lines, had said that ‘It is not right to blame us for unfulfilled desires every time, loyalty is not in itself, you say that EVM is not yours’.
He said that when the results are in his favor then he does not even stick to that point. He said that EVM is 100 percent safe and correct.
Complaint against Bhupesh on ballot paper statement
A complaint has been filed against Bhupesh Baghel for violation of the code of conduct. Durg BJP District Vice President Rajendra Kumar alleges that Bhupesh Baghel issued a provocative statement against the Election Commission of India and tried to unduly influence the election process
Also read this news related to this…
Bhupesh said – Congress will win if elections are held through ballot paper: Said in Patan – All workers should enroll; 375 candidates on one seat, no EVM
