CPI(M) Demands Review of VVPAT-Free EVM Use in Tripura Civic Polls, Jitendra Chaudhury Calls for All-Party Meeting
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, November 14, 2026
The decision of the Tripura State Election Commission to conduct the upcoming municipal and urban local body elections using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) without Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) has triggered fresh political debate, with the CPI(M) demanding an immediate reconsideration of the decision and an all-party meeting to discuss the issue.
CPI(M) State Secretary and senior political leader Jitendra Chaudhury has formally raised objections to the decision, arguing that the Election Commission should not have taken such an important step without consulting the recognised political parties.
In a letter submitted to the State Election Commissioner on Thursday, Chaudhury demanded that an all-party meeting be convened immediately to obtain the views of political parties and reconsider the proposed voting arrangements for the forthcoming civic elections.
Referring to the growing debate across the country over the reliability and functioning of Electronic Voting Machines, Chaudhury pointed out that questions and controversies surrounding EVM operations have persisted for a considerable period. He argued that the credibility of election results must be ensured through a transparent and reliable voting mechanism.
According to the letter, concerns have been raised in different parts of the country regarding the accuracy of EVMs, including allegations of technical inconsistencies and questions about the possibility of manipulation. He also referred to concerns surrounding the functioning of different components of the electronic voting system, including the Control Unit, Ballot Unit and VVPAT.
Chaudhury maintained that the reliability and credibility of election results could be ensured through the integrated functioning of all three components—Control Unit, Ballot Unit and VVPAT—rather than relying on an EVM arrangement without the paper audit trail.
He further pointed out that during elections conducted under the supervision of the Election Commission of India, instances of technical inconsistencies and discrepancies involving different components of the voting system have also been reported. Such developments, he argued, have strengthened public concerns about the transparency and reliability of the electoral process.
The CPI(M) leader also highlighted that questions regarding the accuracy of EVMs and allegations of possible manipulation have generated protests and political debates in different parts of the country. In this context, he considered it inappropriate for the State Election Commission to introduce a VVPAT-free voting arrangement without first discussing the matter with political parties.
In his communication, Chaudhury stated that he was confident that discussions with political parties would reveal that most of them would favour conducting elections through ballot papers instead of VVPAT-free EVMs. He, therefore, urged the Commission to reconsider its decision and convene an all-party meeting, ensuring that the views of all recognised political parties receive due consideration.
The demand comes at a politically significant time as Tripura prepares for its upcoming urban local body elections, with electoral arrangements, transparency and the credibility of the voting process likely to remain important subjects of political discussion.
The CPI(M)'s intervention has now put the State Election Commission's decision under the spotlight. Whether the Commission will reconsider the proposed EVM arrangement or convene the requested all-party meeting remains to be seen.
The central question raised by Chaudhury is whether an important decision concerning the voting mechanism should be implemented without prior consultation with political stakeholders, particularly when public confidence in the electoral process remains a matter of considerable political debate.
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