Akhilesh Yadav advocates for ballot voting over EVMs, citing distrust in their reliability. He emphasizes the need for trustworthy electoral processes and supportive international cooperation, alongside Rahul Kamboj, to create educational and job opportunities for youth through partnerships with Germany.
Akhilesh Yadav, President of the Samajwadi Party and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has advocated for the use of ballot papers in elections instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs), citing widespread distrust in their reliability. During a press conference at the SP headquarters in Lucknow, he expressed concerns that EVMs serve previously established interests rather than the voters by asserting that, “no one trusts EVMs.”
Yadav’s call for change coincided with the presence of Rahul Kumar Kamboj, a member of parliament of Indian descent in Germany, who emphasized the advantages of ballot-paper voting. He noted that Germany’s system allows for transparency and recounts in case of discrepancies: “In Germany, voting is still conducted using ballot papers. It is an important system because any discrepancies can be addressed with a recount.”
Further discussing international cooperation, Kamboj shared his mission to foster partnerships between German and Indian communities while enabling cultural exchanges. He welcomed Yadav’s leadership and highlighted the importance of establishing educational and employment opportunities for the youth, aiming to strengthen the economic landscape of Uttar Pradesh through collaboration with European nations. Kamboj remarked on the potential of combining developmental prospects from Europe with local initiatives in India.
Yadav reminisced about his governmental visit to Germany, recalling his travels and the inspiration he drew from Germany’s infrastructure, which has influenced developments such as the acclaimed Agra-Lucknow Expressway in Uttar Pradesh. He reiterated his commitment to securing a progressive future for the younger generation while strengthening Indo-German ties.
The discussion surrounding the reliability of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in India has grown increasingly contentious amidst concerns about their integrity and transparency during elections. Various political figures, including Akhilesh Yadav, have voiced skepticism regarding EVMs, comparing India’s electoral system unfavorably to traditional methods used in countries like Germany. Furthermore, engaging with diasporic representatives like Rahul Kumar Kamboj highlights the importance of fostering international collaborations to enhance opportunities in education, employment, and cultural exchange between India and Europe.
In light of recent statements by Akhilesh Yadav calling for the return to ballot-paper voting due to distrust in electronic voting machines, the dialogue around electoral integrity has resurfaced. The collaborative efforts between Indian leaders and representatives from the diaspora, as illustrated by Kamboj’s remarks, emphasize the importance of fostering international ties for mutual growth. There remains a crucial need for systemic reforms to ensure the credibility and security of India’s electoral processes while creating pathways for educational and employment opportunities for the youth.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
