SP to press for ballot papers in place of EVMs in future polls

Joining the anti-EVM chorus of the BSP and AAP, the Samajwadi Party has decided to demand the use of ballot papers in all upcoming elections.

The decision was taken at the state executive committee meeting of the Samajwadi Party which was presided over by its national president Akhilesh Yadav at the party office on Thursday.

“The party will explore all possible options, including legal route, to press for age-old and reliable system of ballot papers in all future elections,” said an SP office-bearer.

He said the matter would be raised in Parliament and on all other public forums.

This was the second review meeting of the party after it suffered a crushing defeat in the state assembly elections. The party, which had 229 members in the 16th Assembly, has been left with only 47 MLAs.

As expected, party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and his brother Shivpal Singh Yadav gave the meeting a skip. Sources said Shivpal had not been invited to the meeting.

According to sources, some office-bearers demanded action against the rebels after Akhilesh reportedly admitted that infighting in the party was one of the major factors that led to its defeat. The SP has also decided to contest upcoming municipal elections on the party symbol.

Urging party workers to start the ground work for Lok Sabha elections, Akhilesh said, “Action will be taken against those who have harmed the party. We should now strengthen the organisation and gear up for 2019 polls.”