Lucknow,
Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday alleged that such a large number of EVMs and VVPATs developing snaps during the byelections in Kairana and Noorpur on Monday was part of the BJP’s strategy to influence the elections.

Speaking to reporters after paying homage to former Prime Minister Charan Singh on his death anniversary, Yadav described this new phenomenon as a dangerous indication for the future of democracy.

“I demand a full-fledged inquiry into why EVMs and VVPATs malfunctioned mainly in the areas which were strongholds of the joint Opposition candidate. Was the weather selectively unbearable only in these pockets and cooler in other places?” questioned the former Chief Minister.

Yadav pointed out the irony of even the BJP taking a delegation to the EC to complain against the faulty EVMs just to make sure that it was not singled out.

Yadav reiterated the demand for holding the upcoming Lok Sabha elections through ballot papers.

The Samajwadi Party president did not spare the Election Commission either and questioned its role in conducting a far from free election and also the absurdness of the excuses offered for the malfunctioning of EVMs.

He also demanded action against the polling staff responsible for the disruption of polling.

“Firstly the Election Commission allowed the Prime Minister to hold a roadshow and influence voters after campaigning had come to an end. And now they are saying that the EVMs malfunctioned due to excessive heat. Can anything be more comical? This only exposes the BJP’s strategy to stop people from voting for the joint Opposition candidate,” he stated.