Will Maha Opposition Protest Against ‘Bogus Voter Rolls’ on Nov 1?
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Synopsis
In response to serious allegations against the Election Commission regarding voter list inaccuracies, major opposition parties in Maharashtra, led by prominent leaders, are set to stage a protest on November 1. This event underscores the increasing tensions surrounding electoral integrity and the demand for accountability in the upcoming local elections.
Key Takeaways
- Protest on November 1: Opposition parties are mobilizing against alleged voter list inaccuracies.
- Election Commission under scrutiny: Serious allegations regarding bogus and duplicate names have been raised.
- Demand for transparency: Protests are aimed at ensuring electoral rolls are corrected before elections.
- Legal action threatened: Uddhav Thackeray has vowed to take legal measures against the Election Commissioner.
New Delhi, Oct 30 (NationPress) In a major escalation related to the allegations of voter theft, bogus and duplicate voters against the Election Commission, several opposition parties, including Raj Thackeray (MNS), Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena UBT), Harshwardhan Sapkal (Congress), and Jitendra Awhad (NCP Sharad Pawar faction), have declared a significant protest scheduled for November 1 concerning irregularities in voter lists.
In light of the allegations regarding vote theft and the presence of duplicate names on the electoral rolls, the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) instructed all relevant authorities on Wednesday to verify potential duplicate names in the voter lists, implementing necessary precautions to ensure transparency and accuracy for the upcoming local and civic body elections in the state.
The SEC reiterated that there is no provision for utilizing the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in these elections.
This announcement follows accusations from opposition parties claiming that the poll body has not adequately addressed the issues of duplicate names in the voter lists, despite having received multiple complaints during the 2024 state Assembly elections.
In response, the opposition parties have organized a protest in Mumbai, insisting that elections for local and civic bodies should only occur once the electoral rolls have been corrected.
Additionally, earlier this week, Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray stated that following the change in the central government, legal action would be initiated against the Election Commissioner and the electoral body would be taken to court.
During his passionate address at the party’s Nirdhar meeting, ahead of the elections for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Thackeray heavily criticized the Election Commission for the discrepancies in the voter lists both in the state and nationwide, as well as the issue of bogus voters.
“Everyone is equal before the law. If we commit a crime and are caught in the crossfire of the law, then the Election Commissioner should also be punished. There is still time for the next Lok Sabha. Once our government comes, we will file a case against the Election Commissioner and bring him before the court,” he asserted.
Point of View
I recognize the importance of ensuring electoral integrity. This protest by the Maharashtra opposition highlights the critical need for accurate voter rolls and transparency from the Election Commission. In a democratic setup, accountability is paramount, and it is our duty to uphold the principles of fair elections.
NationPress
31/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main allegations against the Election Commission?
The allegations include voter theft, the presence of bogus and duplicate voters on the electoral rolls, and the commission's failure to address these issues despite multiple complaints.
When is the protest scheduled?
The protest is scheduled for November 1.
Which parties are participating in the protest?
The protest involves several opposition parties including the MNS, Shiv Sena UBT, Congress, and NCP Sharad Pawar faction.
What actions has the Maharashtra State Election Commission taken?
The SEC has directed authorities to verify potential duplicate names in the voter lists and emphasized that there will be no use of VVPAT in the upcoming elections.
What does Uddhav Thackeray say about the situation?
Uddhav Thackeray has criticized the Election Commission and announced intentions to file a case against the Election Commissioner after a change in government.
