Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has raised concerns over the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), saying voters must have confidence that their votes are recorded and counted correctly.
In a statement on Monday, Mayawati said any doubts about whether votes could be diverted or counted in favour of another candidate would undermine people’s faith in the democratic system. Her remarks come ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, where the BSP plans to contest independently.
Mayawati Raises Concerns Over EVMs
Mayawati argued that voters should not have doubts about the security and accuracy of the electoral process.
According to her remarks, confidence in elections depends on voters believing that their votes are recorded for the candidates they choose. She said doubts about the possibility of votes being transferred or counted for another candidate could damage public trust in democracy.
The BSP leader has raised concerns about EVMs on several occasions in the past. In November 2024, she said her party would not participate in by-elections until the Election Commission took measures against what she described as fake voting and electoral irregularities.
EVM Debate Continues Ahead of UP Polls
The latest remarks come as political parties prepare for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
The BSP has announced that it will contest the upcoming elections independently. Mayawati reiterated the party’s decision earlier this month while discussing the BSP’s electoral strategy and organisational preparations.
The question of EVMs has remained a recurring issue in Indian political debates. Opposition parties and some political leaders have periodically raised concerns about the machines and electoral procedures, while election authorities have maintained safeguards around the voting and counting process.
BSP Preparing for 2027 Assembly Election
Mayawati’s latest comments come alongside an intensified organisational push by the BSP in Uttar Pradesh.
The party held an all-India meeting in Lucknow on September 23 to discuss electoral preparations and candidate selection. The meeting brought together senior office-bearers and state-level leaders as the party prepares for elections in several states.
The BSP has also been focusing on issues affecting younger voters. Mayawati recently asked party workers to pay particular attention to concerns affecting Gen Z and Gen Alpha during their outreach in Uttar Pradesh.
Mayawati’s Earlier EVM Position
The BSP chief has repeatedly spoken about EVMs over the years.
In 2024, she said concerns about voting machines had become an issue for democracy and called for stronger action against alleged electoral irregularities. She also announced that the BSP would stay away from by-elections until she believed adequate measures had been taken to address fake voting.
Mayawati’s position has therefore remained consistent in calling for greater confidence in the electoral process.
However, claims about manipulation of EVMs are contested. The Election Commission has repeatedly defended India’s electronic voting system and its safeguards. Any specific allegation concerning an election requires evidence and examination through the established electoral and legal mechanisms.
Faith in Electoral Process at the Centre of Debate
At the heart of Mayawati’s latest statement is the issue of public confidence.
Elections depend not only on the casting and counting of votes but also on voters’ belief that the process is transparent and reliable. Concerns raised by political parties therefore form part of the wider debate over electoral transparency and accountability.
For political parties, the issue also has an organisational dimension. Building confidence among supporters can influence how parties communicate with voters during election campaigns.
BSP’s Political Roadmap Ahead
The BSP is now preparing for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election while seeking to strengthen its organisation across the state.
Mayawati has said that the party will contest elections independently. At the same time, she has directed party workers to focus on different sections of society, including young voters and communities that the BSP traditionally seeks to represent.
Her renewed focus on EVMs adds another issue to the BSP’s political messaging ahead of the state election.
EVM Transparency Remains a Key Electoral Issue
Mayawati’s comments have once again brought EVMs and voter confidence into the political discussion.
While she has warned that unresolved doubts could affect people’s faith in democracy, the broader question remains tied to the transparency and credibility of India’s electoral system.
With Uttar Pradesh heading towards its 2027 Assembly election, debates over voting technology, electoral safeguards and public confidence are likely to remain part of the political conversation. The Election Commission’s procedures and responses to concerns will continue to be central to discussions about the electoral process.