In his first public remarks since the Biju Janata Dal's (BJD) unexpected loss in the 2024 general elections, party president and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has raised concerns over the reliability of electronic voting machines (EVMs). The BJD, which had been poised for a sixth consecutive term in Odisha, suffered a major setback, failing to secure a single Lok Sabha seat while managing to retain only 51 out of 147 Assembly constituencies.
Patnaik expressed his thoughts after attending the 28th foundation day of BJD on Thursday.&nbsp;
Patnaik emphasized the need for transparency in the electoral process and called on the Election Commission (EC) to investigate potential irregularities in EVM usage. "It should definitely be checked," he said when asked about allegations surrounding EVMs. He further questioned the BJP's reluctance to address these concerns, stating, "Why is the BJP so secretive about EVMs?" Patnaik also reiterated his party's stance in favor of reverting to paper ballots, asserting that this would strengthen public trust in the electoral system.
Taking aim at the BJP, Patnaik accused the party of misleading voters with "lies and false promises" during the campaign. Reflecting on his party's shortcomings, he admitted that the BJD struggled to counter the BJP's aggressive narrative on social media.
When asked about the future leadership of the BJD, Patnaik remained non-committal, saying, "I have been leading for a very long time, but I have not thought about who will take over after me." He also reiterated his long-standing demand for a Bharat Ratna to honor his father, Biju Patnaik, calling him a statesman deserving of the nation's highest civilian award. Patnaik dismissed speculation about his own name being considered for the honor as mere rumors.
In closing, Patnaik stressed the need for reforms to restore faith in India's electoral process. "We want a system that ensures complete trust in the electoral process," he stated, urging the Election Commission to take the concerns over EVMs seriously and prioritize voter confidence.
The BJD had recently submitted a formal memorandum to the Election Commission, calling for a thorough investigation into EVM-related concerns, underscoring the party's firm position on the issue.
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Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik paying floral tribute founder of the party Biju Patnaik

BJD chief suggests EVMs might have impacted Odisha polls, calls for return to paper ballots

Patnaik Hints at EVM Role, Backs Paper Ballots

BJD chief suggests EVMs might have impacted Odisha polls, calls for return to paper ballots

December 27, 2024 | 06:40 IST