100 defeated MVA candidates file petitions over voter list issues

The Congress on Saturday (January 25, 2025) again raised the issue of discrepancies in voter lists during the recent Maharashtra Assembly election, on the occasion of National Voters’ Day, accusing the Election Commission of favouring the BJP alliance.

Maharashtra’s former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Praveen Chakravarty, who heads the All India Professionals’ Congress, claimed an unusual increase of 4.8 million voters in just six months after the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

“Between the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Maharashtra’s voter base grew by 3.2 million in five years. How did it increase by 4.8 million in just six months? The Commission must provide proof,” Mr. Chakravarty said, addressing a press conference in Mumbai.

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Voter discrepancies

He also noted discrepancies in the voter registry. “The Election Commission reported 97 million voters in Maharashtra, while the Health Ministry data showed the adult population at 95.4 million,” he said.

He also highlighted specific cases like Shirdi’s Loni village, where 5,000 voters were registered at one address, and claimed that 132 constituencies saw 20,000 to 25,000 new voters added per constituency after the Lok Sabha elections.  He accused the Election Commission of not providing data despite repeated requests.

Also Read | ‘Misleading’, ‘baseless’, says EC, rejects Congress’s claims on Maharashtra voter lists

Legal petitions

Mr. Chavan said that 100 defeated MVA candidates have filed petitions in various courts regarding voter list issues. He added that discrepancies in voter lists are a significant concern and must be addressed to maintain voter trust in the electoral process.

“On National Voters’ Day, the Election Commission should be congratulated. But the people of Maharashtra feel deceived. The discrepancies in voter lists are a significant issue, and the Congress is fighting against the Election Commission’s bias. Around 100 defeated MVA candidates have filed petitions in courts across the state,” the former CM said.

This is not just a political issue but a matter of safeguarding the integrity of our democracy, Mr. Chavan added.