Mayawati's Shocking Move: BSP to Boycott Future By-Polls Amid Alleged Fake Voting Scandal

Lukhnow(The Uttam Hindu): BSP chief Mayawati has announced that her party will not participate in any future by-elections, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, unless the Election Commission (EC) takes steps to prevent fake voting. During a press conference on Sunday, Mayawati raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the recent Uttar Pradesh bypolls, held on November 20, where the results were announced on Saturday. Despite contesting all nine seats, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) failed to win any.

Mayawati criticized the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), stating that, much like the past issues with ballot papers, there were widespread allegations of fake voting during these bypolls. She added that such practices were being carried out more openly in by-elections than during general elections, which raised serious concerns about the state of democracy in the country. Referring to the bypolls in Uttar Pradesh and the general elections in Maharashtra, she said that these instances should serve as a "major warning bell" for democracy.

The BSP leader further emphasized that while the ruling party’s cautious approach in general elections stems from the uncertainty of power shifts, by-elections have been more prone to manipulation. As a result, Mayawati confirmed that her party will refrain from contesting any by-election unless the EC ensures tighter safeguards against fraud. However, the BSP intends to participate fully in the general elections for Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies, given the higher stakes involved. In the recent Uttar Pradesh bypolls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) secured seven seats, while the Samajwadi Party won two.