Chandrababu Naidu flies to New Delhi, slams the Election Commission

Andhra Pradesh incumbent Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu flew to New Delhi on Saturday to meet the top officials of the Election Commission of India. Meeting the Chief Election Commissioner, Sunil Arora, Naidu claimed that the poll body did not live up to “the spirit of the constitutional duty” in the state.

Speaking to the reporters after the meeting, the Chief Minister, who was accompanied by Telugu Desam Party leaders, opined that the Election Commission “failed miserably” and said that many EVMs did not function during the recently held polls in Andhra Pradesh. Stating that voters faced severe inconvenience due to several delays in the voting process, Chandrababu Naidu criticised the Election Commission for not adjourning and re-conducting the polls on the next day.

Naidu further added that there were many glitches reported in the EVMs across the state and demanded the Election Commission to revert to the system of ballot papers and stop using EVMs for voting.

Chandrababu Naidu also found fault with the transfers of a few key officials in the state. “Election Commission may have power. But they must not misuse their power,” he said in New Delhi.

The CM further informed that he would be in the city until Sunday and meet all political parties’ leaders to ensure transparency in the election process. “We are here to save democracy and protect the gift given to us by our forefathers. No one can manipulate democracy. If you do well, you will be in power. If not, you will be voted out of power,” the TDP President added.