CPI(M) leader and state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury has written to the State Election Commission demanding that no Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) without VVPAT be used in the upcoming TTAADC elections, and has also sought an FIR against Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma over an allegedly offensive remark. The letter raises both procedural and law-and-order concerns ahead of polling.
Chaudhury called attention to reports that older EVMs lacking Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units may be deployed, warning that their use could undermine voter confidence. VVPAT produces a paper record of each vote that a voter can verify and that can be used for audits, he noted, and its presence bolsters public trust in electronic voting.
Highlighting nationwide debates around EVM reliability, Chaudhury argued that combining EVMs with VVPAT strengthens transparency and reduces apprehension among voters and stakeholders. He said fears have been exacerbated by a recent statement by Minister Bikash Debbarma at an election meeting, in which Debbarma reportedly claimed that votes for a rival party would ultimately benefit the BJP.
Describing the remark as misleading and harmful to democratic norms, Chaudhury said it reflects distrust in the electoral process and urged legal action against the minister. In his letter he asked the Commission to ensure updated EVMs with VVPAT are installed at all polling stations, to register an FIR against Debbarma, and to consider convening an all-party meeting to address election-related concerns.
Chaudhury framed these steps as necessary to safeguard the integrity of the TTAADC poll and to restore voter confidence; without clear measures, he warned, suspicions about equipment and conduct could deepen and affect participation and legitimacy.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/tripura/story/tripura-jitendra-chaudhury-demands-fir-against-bikash-debbarma-seeks-vvpat-use-in-ttaadc-polls-1367679-2026-03-30?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-03-30 16:12:00
