A re-examination of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and VVPAT for the Chandivali Assembly seat in Maharashtra is scheduled to begin at 9:30 A.M. on Thursday.
The move follows a Bombay High Court order allowing the recount of the EVM-VVPAT for the Chandivali seat. The inspection will be carried out under strict supervision, with engineers deployed to oversee the process.
What Led To The Re-Examination?
Congress leader Naseem Khan — who alleged the EVMs were tampered and improperly programmed — had filed a petition in the Bombay High Court, demanding a recount of votes.
While Khan had initially requested the inspection and paid the prescribed fees in November 2024, the process was delayed awaiting clearance from the High Court.
After the Bombay HC ordered the re-examination of EVMs, Khan hailed the decision as “historic". “It was clearly stated in our petition that we harbour doubts regarding the EVM machines. We suspect that they have been tampered with and improperly programmed. We hold various apprehensions," he told IANS.
This will be the first time in the history of the Election Commission of India (ECI) that votes cast through EVMs will be re-examined.
What Happened In Chandivali?
Shiv Sena leader Dilip Bhausaheb Lande emerged victorious with 1,24,641 votes, with Congress candidate Naseem Khan finishing runner up with 1,04,016 votes.
Lande’s vote share stood at 52.39 per cent, while Khan bagged a vote share of 43.72 per cent.
