Chinchwad Constituency NCP Candidate Alleges Pune Poll Office Withholding EVM Data, Files Complaint With Election Commission
Chinchwad Constituency NCP Candidate Alleges Pune Poll Office Withholding EVM Data, Files Complaint With Election Commission
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) candidate Rahul Kalate, contesting from Chinchwad in the Maharashtra assembly elections, has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). Kalate alleges that the Pune district election officer (DEO) and poll authorities have refused to provide essential electronic voting machine (EVM) data required by law for candidates, which he claims undermines the transparency and impartiality of the electoral process.
According to Kalate, the Pune DEO and Chinchwad returning officer (RO) have not shared the original EMS-generated list of the second randomization of EVMs for the Chinchwad assembly. He stated that a printed version of the list was provided, but it contained missing pages. Despite multiple requests for a clear, complete copy, the data has not been furnished. “It appears that the DEO and RO offices aim to withhold contesting candidates’ legal rights by refusing access to EVM data,” reads the complaint.
Kalate added that withholding EVM data fuels public skepticism about the election process, especially given widespread misinformation around EVMs. He stated that transparency is crucial to maintaining confidence in free and fair elections. Efforts to reach Pune district collector Dr. Suhas Diwase for comment were unsuccessful.
