Southern India politician throws voting device to the ground during elections
by ShravyaIn a shocking incident during the ongoing elections in southern India’s Andhra Pradesh, a local legislator (MLA) was seen throwing a Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machine to the ground.
The incident took place in Hyderabad on May 13.
Visuals showed how he threw the VVPAT on the ground and the surrounding onlookers were shocked to see such a scene.
The MLA, identified as Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy from the YSR Congress Party, was reportedly angered by a technical issue with the voting device at a polling station in the Guntakal constituency.
The VVPAT system is designed to provide a paper trail for votes cast on electronic voting machines (EVMs), ensuring transparency and allowing for vote verification if discrepancies are suspected. However, this incident highlights the ongoing concerns and controversies surrounding the use of electronic voting technology in India.
The Election Commission of India has taken note of the incident and has ordered an inquiry. Such actions disrupt the electoral process and undermine public confidence in the voting system. The situation in Andhra Pradesh is tense as the state undergoes elections, with political parties closely contesting for power.
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