NCP backs August 9 anti-EVM rally in Mumbai

The Sharad Pawar-led NCP on Tuesday declared its support for the August 9 protest rally against the use of EVMs in the upcoming Assembly elections.

The announcement was made by state NCP unit president Jayant Patil at a press conference which was also attended by his Congress counterpart Balasaheb Thorat, CPI(M) leader Ashok Dhawale, Peasants' and Workers Party (PWP) leader Jayant Patil and others.

The rally is being planned by 'EVM Virodhi Rashtriya Jan Andolan' seeking use of ballot papers in the polls, due in September-October.

"We had to taste defeat despite fielding winnable candidates in some Lok Sabha seats. At some places, (Opposition) candidates did not get votes from their own family members," a statement quoted Patil as saying.

"Even the elected candidates have raised suspicions about EVM functioning. Hence, we are supporting this anti-EVM movement," Patil added.

Pawar has repeatedly raised concerns over functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

In the recently held monsoon session of the state legislature, the NCP had demanded that the Assembly elections be held through ballot papers.