PANAJI
Amidst a fervent demonstration at Azad Maidan in Panaji on Monday, opposition figures raised their voices against the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in elections, advocating for a return to traditional paper ballots.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, though unable to attend due to prior commitments, reiterated his support for banning EVMs, expressing concerns over the vulnerability of the electoral process to manipulation.
“We have...written to the ECI on this as we don’t want democracy to be killed. There is a strong way to manipulate votes,” he emphasized.
Echoing similar sentiments, Congress leader and Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira asserted his belief in the superiority of paper ballots over EVMs, citing their susceptibility to manipulation.
“Those who oppose EVMs have a valid reason to protest, and I stand in solidarity with them. I even participated in a protest against EVMs during a gathering in Mapusa. Why not allow the counting of paper trails in EVMs? The Election Commission should permit this practice without hesitation,” he added.
Reacting to the protest, GFP chief Vijai Sardesai said, “The people’s concern about EVMs should be treated seriously and the onus is on the Election Commission to alleviate their fears.”
Notably, former MP Churchill Alemao, who had previously voiced reservations about EVMs, remained tight-lipped when approached for comment on Monday’s protest, refraining from further discourse on the matter.
