Raipur: In a significant political development, former minister and Konta MLA, Kawasi Lakhma, has made a strong statement regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in upcoming elections.

Addressing a press conference, Lakhma declared that if elections are conducted using EVMs, the Congress party will not participate. He further emphasized that the party is planning a major movement demanding the return of the ballot paper system for elections.

Lakhma asserted, "Congress will not contest the upcoming elections if EVMs are used. We are preparing for a nationwide agitation demanding elections through ballot papers. Congress is not afraid of anyone; it is the BJP leaders who should be worried."

According to Lakhma, the Congress party has already started planning a nationwide protest against the use of EVMs, and he pointed out that many major countries, including the United States, conduct elections using ballot papers. He referenced the recent elections in the U.S., where Donald Trump won, as an example of a democratic process using paper ballots. Lakhma also compared the current election results in India, noting the unusually large margins of victory, which he argued were not seen during the times of previous leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. “Whether it’s elections in Maharashtra or Kerala, people across India, not just Congress supporters, are saying they voted for Congress, but the machines are giving different results.

Why isn’t the government conducting elections using ballot papers? There is growing support for our demand for a return to paper ballots, even from leaders in Bastar and other regions,” Lakhma said.

Congress Plans Nationwide Protest Over EVMs

Lakhma's comments come at a time when Congress, under the leadership of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, has expressed its strong opposition to EVMs and called for a return to the ballot paper system. Lakhma stated that Congress will not contest the next elections unless the ballot paper system is reinstated. He added that the party would consult with its alliance partners in the INDIA bloc to plan the next steps and launch a nationwide protest on this issue.

“We will hold discussions with our INDIA bloc allies, and after the current Parliament session, we will finalize the next course of action,” said Lakhma, referring to the ongoing political dialogue within the opposition alliance. Kharge had earlier criticized the use of EVMs and reaffirmed Congress’s stance on this issue, demanding the return of the ballot paper system.

Supreme Court Rejects Petition for Ballot Paper Elections

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court recently dismissed a petition calling for the return of the ballot paper system in elections, stating that allegations of tampering with EVMs are typically raised by political parties that lose elections. The court’s decision has added fuel to the ongoing debate over the integrity of the current electronic voting system. The call for paper ballots has gained momentum following Congress's defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, where the BJP-led alliance achieved a resounding victory by securing 230 of the 288 seats.The party’s poor performance in the state elections has raised suspicions regarding the accuracy of EVM results.

What Lies Ahead for Congress?

Lakhma's bold statement has triggered a political stir, with both allies and opponents watching closely to see how Congress will escalate its protests. The party's stand on EVMs could shape the political discourse leading up to the next round of elections. With Congress pledging not to participate in any election conducted with EVMs unless the system is overhauled, it remains to be seen whether the government will heed these calls or continue to defend the current electronic voting system.

The debate over EVMs and paper ballots is far from over, and it is likely to dominate political discussions in the coming months, as the Congress party prepares to take its demands to the streets and engage with its allies to amplify its voice against the use of electronic voting machines in the electoral process.