MNS chief Raj Thackeray questioned the introduction of the Printing Auxiliary Display Unit machines by the Maharashtra State Election Commission for the upcoming Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections on Wednesday. Thackeray alleged that the parties were not informed of the new machine and that he was suspicious of the new rules introduced by the SEC.
In a press conference, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani clarified what the PADU system does.
He clarified that the machines will not be used in Mumbai throughout the elections and will be used only if the necessary situation arises.
The small machines will be attached to the EVMs. The control unit and the ballot unit of the EVMs are connected to the machine.
The device is a backup if the display unit of the EVMs shut down, said Gagrani. The counting process will then be carried out using the PADU as it is also a control unit.
The device will display the information of the EVM on a larger display. The device is not a paper receipt machine like the VVPAT.
The devices are manufactured by BHEL, and about 140 units of were sent for the Mumbai Municipal corporation elections.
Raj Thackeray alleged that the devices were introduced without transparency and that political parties were not shown how the devices work.
“When EVMs are used, party representatives are called to verify the buttons. But this new machine hasn't been shown to anyone. This is pure anarchy," he remarked.
He then urged MNS and Shiv Sena workers to stay vigilant against malpractices.
"I am telling the workers of the MNS and Shiv Sena to stay alert. Watch the candidates visiting homes. People are starting to reject this, which is a good sign, but we must keep a close eye on how money is being distributed," he said.
On Tuesday, however, SEC Dinesh Waghmare on Tuesday said that the devices were ordered during the Lok Sabha elections.
"This is not a new order as it was applied during the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections," Waghmare stated.