Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 15: Seven out of the 8 contestants from Congress party in Dakshina Kannada district have decided to file an objection before the Election Commissioner against the electronic voting machines (EVMs) used in the just concluded elections.
Congress has lost in 7 out of the 8 seats it contested in the elections held on May 12, results of which were announced on May 15.
The contestants in the leadership of Ramanatha Rai decided to approach the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday, May 16 with the complaint.
Speaking to reporters, Ramanath Rai said, "People have given their verdict but we have suspicions about the EVMs. At the time of counting we found some problems with it and we are filing complaint about it through a letter to the EC."
Asked about the results he said it was unexpected. "Everyone has seen the amount of work Congress has done for the people. They used IT raids on us to stop us from doing election work. In my 40 years in politics I have never seen such things happening. Even when Congress was ruling, such tactics were never used against opponents. This kind of systemic targetting is detrimental to democracy.
"In a democratic country we should respect the verdict of the people. Actually this is not a defeat, people wanted to give opportunity to another person because as per them, he is more efficient than me. There is no Modi wave. Modi effect is only applicable for Lok Sabha elections. Modi is not going to be the chief minister.
Rai, on behalf of the contestants, said that Congress had hopes to win in all the 8 constituencies it contested. He said due to faulty EVMs they lost in 7 constituencies.
Rai made the statement at the counting centre at Bondel. He was accompanied by Mohiuddin Bava and J R Lobo.