MVA Challenges Maharashtra Assembly Election Results

Mumbai- Defeated candidates from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have filed approximately 100 petitions challenging the results of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, alleging discrepancies in the voter rolls. Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan made the announcement at a press conference alongside National President of Professional Congress Praveen Chakravarty and MP Kumar Ketkar.

Chavan stated that the MVA, a coalition of Congress, Shiv Sena UBT, and NCP-SP, is contesting the Election Commission's impartiality, citing the significant increase in voter turnout between the 2024 Lok Sabha and the Assembly elections. "Although the Election Commission should be congratulated on National Voter's Day, the people of Maharashtra are unwilling to extend any goodwill," Chavan remarked. He added that the country’s democracy is well-established and attracts global attention, but if the Election Commission exhibits bias during elections, it poses a significant threat to our democratic system.

Chakravarty echoed these concerns, alleging that the Election Commission failed to ensure free and fair elections. He presented data highlighting a 48 lakh increase in voter registration for the Assembly elections, a six-month period, compared to a 32 lakh increase over the five years between the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He further pointed to a discrepancy between the Election Commission's reported 9.7 crore eligible voters in Maharashtra and the Union Health Ministry's data, which states the adult population above 18 years in the state is 9.54 crore. "This raises the question of how there is a discrepancy of 16 lakh voters," Chakravarty said.

The Congress party has demanded the Election Commission release relevant data to address these concerns. They have also organized statewide protests and press conferences to mark National Voter's Day, highlighting the importance of safeguarding democracy.