Dialogue war between YCP and alliance leaders on EVMs
The Political movement in Andhra Pradesh is gradually getting polarized with EVM being a burning point of discussion. This clash has created a bitter rivalry between the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YCP) and its alliance rivals as it is centered on the demand they are putting forward for the scrutiny of the EVMs used in 2024 elections. This issue has very much amplified the conflict within the state political scenario.
YCP’s Call for EVM Re-Verification
YCP leaders are now seeking a fresh cross verification of the EVMs and have doubts over the results that were announced a couple of months back. They have expressed several concerns on the discrepancies that prevailed in the polling percentages as per the EC and the ones that were observed during the counting exercise. Former Minister Ambati Rambabu has notably pointed out a discrepancy: Although the polling percentage revealed while counting on June 4 was 82 percent, there are some discrepancies that can be observed that call for attention to be given to them.
Ambati Rambabu has also criticized the delay in announcing the breakdown of votes by party. He has questioned the reported battery levels of EVMs, which were listed as 99 percent charged. This discrepancy has fueled further suspicions. Additionally, Rambabu highlighted issues encountered during mock polling, including the inability to access EVMs due to missing keys, adding to the party’s concerns. The YCP has formally presented these issues to the Election Commission, urging a thorough review and clarification.
Reactions from Alliance Leaders
In response, leaders from the alliance parties have voiced frustration and skepticism about the YCP’s demands. Union Minister Srinivasa Varma has called on the YCP to respect the electoral results and questioned the rationale behind raising doubts so long after the election. He emphasized that the focus should be on accepting the results rather than challenging the integrity of the EVMs.
Minister Sathya Kumar has outright dismissed the YCP’s claims of potential tampering with the EVMs, stating that there is no substantive evidence to support such allegations. Kumar accused the YCP of trying to divert public attention from the real issues by questioning the EVMs, rather than addressing the reasons behind their electoral defeat.
Historical Context and Political Implications
Now BJP MLA Vishnukumar Raju has come into the contest, asking why YCP did not have similar scepticism about EVMs in the elections of 2019? The above comparison is the tradition to the present day discussion on the reliability and the fairness of the electoral process in Andhra Pradesh.
According to the leaders of the Alliance, the YCP demanded recounting of the EVMs and its emphasis on the possibility of the manipulation as the main tactic to mask its poor performance in the latest polls. They considered these actions as the part of a large scheme to demoralize people on the electoral process and redirect their attention from the problems of the party.
The Election Commission’s Role
The crux of the matter is therefore, whether the EC has tandards of its duty to attend to the YCP’s grievances. Regarding this the YCP averred that it was the duty of the EC to respond to and solve the suspicions of the EVM’s. It is its way of claiming that it is imperative to remain transparent and continue preserving the sanctity of the election to sustain the confidence of the people in the said process.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding EVMs acting as a source of political foment for the Andhra Pradesh political environment. This incidence between the YCP and the alliance leaders is indicative of some fundamental problems and concerns that pertain the rights to electoral processes and fairness.
This is because claims of manipulation of EVMs, difference in the final figures cast in the machines compared with the total votes as per the manual count and past grievances have made the debate over the use of electronic voting machines as an important and virile point in the politics of the state. How the Election Commission will respond to these concerns and the resultant consequences on Andhra Pradesh political climate would be interest to watch in the coming days.
