Sharad Pawar Calls for 'a Change in EVM election System' from Markadwadi Village

Pawar said that many advanced countries like the US, UK and others have already discarded EVMs and vote on ballot papers

- AGENCIES

Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar issued a clarion call to reform the country's election system as the masses have lost faith in the existing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), during his visit to Markadwadi village here on Sunday.

Interacting with the villagers and later addressing a rally here, Pawar, 83, said that many advanced countries like the US, UK and others have already discarded EVMs and vote on ballot papers, and there's a necessity for the same in India.

"The people now have suspicions about the EVM elections verdict. The outcome is such that it fuels doubts in public minds. The masses feel that 'there is something wrong somewhere'. When the whole world is using ballot papers then why not India? There's a need to change the election system," declared Pawar.

Referring to the 'mock ballot paper polling' organised in Markadwadi on December 3 - which was foiled by the police and civil authorities - Pawar wondered what was wrong if the people wanted to ascertain if their votes had been accounted for or not.