YSRCP demands probe into EVM functioning, calls for return to ballot paper voting across India

A YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) delegation led by Parliamentary Party leader Y. V. Subba Reddy, along with MPs P.V. Mithun Reddy and Bellana Chandrasekhar, met the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Delhi on Thursday (July 03) to express concerns over the conduct of the 2024 General Elections in Andhra Pradesh.

The YSRCP leaders raised serious doubts about the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), citing technical anomalies, mismatches in VVPAT slips, and a suspicious last-hour spike in voter turnout. In Andhra Pradesh, the polling percentage increased in many constituencies after 6 p.m. Out of around 4 crore votes across the State, approximately 51 lakh votes were cast in the last hour alone, which raises several suspicions.  By the end of polling, the batteries were charged to 80%.  However, by the time of counting, 40 days later, we observed that the charge had increased to nearly 98%. “We are also demanding an investigation into this matter,” they said, adding:  “We are demanding an investigation into this. However, the Election Commission officials firmly stated that comparing VVPATs is not possible.”

The delegation demanded a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Andhra Pradesh, similar to Bihar, and sought a shift back to ballot paper voting, citing its continued use in countries like the U.S., Germany, and others. They argued that the credibility of India’s electoral process can only be restored through transparent, manual voting.

Despite assurances from the ECI to examine some of the data, the YSRCP maintains that future elections must be held through ballot paper to ensure fairness and public trust.