MVA Candidates Challenge Maharashtra Election Results: Prithviraj Chavan
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On January 25, former Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan revealed that around 100 defeated MVA candidates from Congress, Shiv Sena UBT, and NCP-SP have filed petitions against the Assembly election results, citing discrepancies in voter rolls and questioning the Election Commission's integrity.
Key Takeaways
- 100 MVA candidates challenged election results.
- Discrepancies in voter rolls raised concerns.
- Election Commission's credibility questioned.
- Increase of 48 lakh voters in six months.
- Public demand for Election Commission data transparency.
Mumbai, Jan 25 (NationPress) Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan stated on Saturday that approximately 100 defeated candidates from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes Congress, Shiv Sena UBT, and NCP-SP, have filed individual petitions against the Assembly election results in their respective constituencies.
During a press conference alongside National President of Professional Congress Praveen Chakravarty and MP Kumar Ketkar, he remarked, “While the Election Commission deserves commendation on National Voter's Day, the citizens of Maharashtra are not inclined to reciprocate. The inconsistencies in the voter rolls for the Assembly elections represent a significant concern. The Congress is contesting the Election Commission's bias. Nearly 100 defeated MVA candidates have lodged petitions in various courts statewide.”
Chavan emphasized that the integrity of our democracy is robust and garners international interest. “However, if the Election Commission shows favoritism during elections, it endangers our democratic framework,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Praveen Chakravarty asserted that the duty of ensuring free and fair elections rests with an independent Election Commission.
“Regrettably, the Commission did not meet this expectation during the Maharashtra Assembly elections. A considerable inconsistency in the electoral rolls appeared to favor the BJP alliance. Remarkably, within just six months after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the voter count surged by 48 lakh. In contrast, between the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which spanned five years, the voter population increased by just 32 lakh. How is it possible for the voter count to rise by 48 lakh in merely six months?” he questioned.
He demanded that the Election Commission provide proof to clarify this oddity.
Additionally, Chakravarty noted that while the Election Commission claims Maharashtra has 9.7 crore voters for the Assembly elections, the Union Health Ministry indicates that the state's adult population above 18 years is only 9.54 crore.
“This discrepancy of 16 lakh voters is troubling. The electoral rolls exhibit numerous irregularities. For example, in Loni village of the Shirdi constituency, 5,000 voters were registered at a single address,” he claimed.
When Congress candidate Prabhavati Ghogare from the Shirdi constituency requested identification and proof of residence from these voters, it became apparent that they were not local inhabitants.
“A complaint was submitted to the Election Commission, but no acknowledgment was received,” Chakravarty stated.
He noted that post the Lok Sabha elections, between 20,000 and 25,000 new voters were added in each of the 132 Assembly constituencies.
“In 62 of these constituencies, the BJP-led alliance was leading during the Lok Sabha elections. Yet, in the Assembly elections, the alliance triumphed in 112 of these 132 constituencies. This unexplained and suspicious uptick in voter numbers has raised significant concerns,” he remarked.
Chavan insisted that the Congress party demands that the Election Commission publicly disclose all pertinent data.
Chakravarty further criticized the Commission, stating that while January 25 is recognized as National Voter's Day, the Election Commission has transformed it into a “Cheater Day.”
In conjunction, the Congress party held statewide demonstrations to uphold democracy and organized press conferences to commemorate National Voter’s Day.
