Congress leader Sam Pitroda raised concerns over electronic voting machines on December 28, saying that the BJP could win more than 400 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections if issues associated with EVMs are not addressed. He added that the elections will be about deciding the destiny of India, in an interview with PTI-Video.
While the Election Commission has dismissed apprehensions over EVMs, some opposition leaders, including from Congress, have repeatedly raised the issue of EVMs being open to manipulation. Additionally, many in the Congress have been demanding 100% Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).
Pitroda also commented on his remarks about the Ram temple in Ayodhya, stating that they were “twisted,” and that religion is a personal matter and should not be mixed with politics. He also spoke about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s upcoming Bharat Nyay Yatra and expressed concerns over the state of democracy and authoritarianism.
Citing a report by NGO ‘The Citizens’ Commission on Elections’, Pitroda expressed concern over EVMs and called for the Election Commission to rebuild trust in the system. He emphasized the need for fixing the issues associated with EVMs before the next election. Additionally, Pitroda addressed the decision of the opposition INDIA bloc to not project anyone for the PM post, highlighting that it is not a presidential election but a parliamentary one.