Congress Launches Signature Campaign In Pune To Bring Back Ballot Papers
Congress Launches Signature Campaign In Pune To Bring Back Ballot Papers
The Congress Party’s Pune city unit has initiated a signature campaign to gather support for their stand against Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and to bring back ballot papers. The campaign, which started on Wednesday, aims to collect five lakh signatures from across the state.
The party claims to have collected 1,100 signatures on the first day of the campaign, which was held on Shastri Road. The signatures will be submitted along with a petition to the office of the Chief Justice of India, President, Prime Minister, and the Election Commission of India.
#Congress Launches Signature Campaign In #Pune To Bring Back #BallotPapers https://t.co/ZJGIiVzuWy pic.twitter.com/c7tP2DzmxS
— Pune Pulse (@pulse_pune) December 12, 2024
According to senior Congress member Balasaheb Thorat, the campaign is not just about the party’s loss in the recent assembly polls, but about the concerns raised by common people regarding the massive majority won by the Mahayuti alliance. Thorat cited the example of Markadwadi’s villagers, who have triggered a movement by attempting to hold mock polls to challenge the EVM.
Congress’s Pune city unit chief Arvind Shinde said that the campaign has received a good response from various sections of society, including bus and rickshaw drivers, senior citizens, and students. The campaign will continue until December 25, and office-bearers will collect as many signatures as possible to support the MVA’s petition challenging EVMs.
The drive has also started in other districts, with the party planning to expand the campaign to the six assembly segments in the city. The party will also appeal to people to support their demand at Mahatma Phule Mandai and religious places.
It’s worth noting that the Supreme Court recently dismissed a plea seeking a return to the ballot paper system, terming the suspicion of manipulation of EVMs “unfounded”. However, the Congress party remains adamant in its demand for a return to ballot papers.
