CPI demands inquiry into voting discrepancies in Lok Sabha elections

The Communist Party of India (CPI) has demanded a comprehensive inquiry by the Central Government into the alleged discrepancies between votes cast and votes counted in the Lok Sabha elections. An investigative journalism organisation named 'The Reporters Collective' had highlighted this matter. CPI National Secretary K. Ramakrishna and State Secretary Gujjula Aishwarya levelled these allegations while addressing the media on Thursday at Dasari Bhavan in Vijayawada.

According to a report by The Hindu, Shri Ramakrishna stated that the organisation has analysed data from approximately 530 Lok Sabha constituencies. He mentioned that discrepancies were observed in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir in this analysis. He demanded the release of the Election Commission's internal reports and a thorough investigation. Shri Ramakrishna also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of bias towards the BJP and RSS.

He questioned the addition of 50 to 60 million voters before the Maharashtra Assembly elections, whereas the BJP had suffered losses in previous parliamentary elections. The CPI National Executive will hold a meeting in New Delhi on 16 and 17 November. In this meeting, discussions will be held regarding the organisation of nationwide movements in collaboration with allies of the INDIA bloc, mass organisations, and civil rights groups.

State Secretary Gujjula Aishwarya stated that victories in rural and urban local self-government bodies cannot be celebrated if they were achieved through administrative pressure. She said that free elections and the actual participation of voters are indispensable for the legitimacy of democracy. She announced a state-wide movement against the proposed privatisation and warned that this decision would face public protest.

Criticising the Central and State governments, CPI leaders said they are failing to provide adequate relief to farmers and people affected by drought as well as frequent cyclones. They stated that despite 14 to 15 days having passed since the arrival of the cyclone, many villages are facing power cuts. Additionally, concerns were expressed regarding the rising prices of rice, pulses, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and ginger, and it was alleged that the governments have failed to intervene effectively in the market. Donepudi Shankar, a member of the CPI State Secretariat, was also present on this occasion.