Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday demanded the Election Commission of India (ECI) to revert to ballot paper system immediately to preserve the sanctity and protect the spirit of the electoral process and democracy.
Earlier in the day, the TDP supremo met the EC officials over the issue of electronic voting machines (EVM) malfunctioning in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
In a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, he wrote, “We demand the Election Commission of India for reverting to paper ballot system immediately to preserve the sanctity and protect the spirit of electoral process and democracy respectively.”
“I wish to bring to your notice a series of malafide actions of Election Commission of India in managing the election process in Andhra Pradesh that gave rise to serious doubts that the constitutional duties of this great institution are not performed with objectivity, impartiality and, professionalism,” he said.
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Naidu also claimed that there was inadequate police force at the polling booths despite the request made by the Andhra Pradesh Police Department. He also expressed disappointment over the way polls were conducted in the state.
Naidu said, “Government of India is interfering through the ECI. We have complained against EVMs earlier also. The EC is an autonomous body but they are working at the instructions of Modi. The transfer of officers in Andhra Pradesh are unjustified.”
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu after a meeting with EC officials: Govt of India is interfering through EC. We have complained against EVMs earlier also. EC is an autonomous body but they are working at the instructions of Modi. Transfers of officers in AP is unjustified. pic.twitter.com/HD2JxWckPC
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2019
On April 11, after polling in a few districts of Andhra Pradesh was disrupted briefly due to malfunctioning of electronic voting machines, Naidu had requested the EC for an extension of polling time in the state to compensate for the time lost due to technical glitches in EVMs.
Voting in the state took place for all the 25 Lok Sabha seats and 175 Assembly seats on April 11. The results will be out on May 23.
(With ANI inputs)