Manithaneya Makkal Katchi urges ECI to drop use of EVMs; wants ballot paper system reintroduced

Demanding the Election Commission of India to drop the electronic voting machines (EVM) and reintroduce the old system of ballot paper in elections, the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) appealed to all political parties to support it in larger democratic interest.

Passing nine resolutions at its conference held in Madurai on Sunday, the members said that the EVMs had led to numerous doubts over their genuineness. The ballot paper alone had stood the tests in very many aspects in the past and hence, the governments should restore it in full faith.

MMK president Jawahirullah, who was in the chair, led the rally taken out by the members marking the conference.

The meeting urged the governments to give more rights, especially, political rights, to Muslims through a resolution.

Out of the 4,123 Assembly seats in the country, only 296 among them were Muslims, which was 7.18 %. Likewise, it was still more lesser representation in Parliament, where it was a meagre 4.4 %. In panchayats, municipalities and corporations, it was far from satisfaction for the Muslims, as the number of elected representatives stood very low, the resolution said.

On Tiruparankundram Sikkandar dargah row, the MMK conference said that as per the Places of Worship Special Provision Act of 1991, the governments shall protect and provide amenities to the people offering prayers at the dargah.

Condemning the Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankar for his ‘irresponsible’ speech at a meeting held in New Delhi recently on amending the Constitution, the members said that the Vice-President held a Constitutional position. Hence, he should not speak like a BJP spokesperson.

The Wakf Amendment Act should be dropped forthwith in the larger interest of the minorities and the Union government should drop its mischievous plans. Harming the minorities would be condemned and the Tamil Nadu government should continue its role in protecting the Muslims.

In his address, Mr Jawahirullah said that the governments should ensure safety and security for the minorities as per the Constitution. The joblessness under the BJP rule had risen and the privatisation of industries had resulted in erosion of public sector undertakings.

He said that nation’s external affairs policies towards Muslim nations were highly objectionable and India should stop its support to Israel on the Palestinian issue.