Sat Nov 23 20:54:47 UTC 2024: ## Actor Swara Bhasker Accuses EVM Manipulation in Maharashtra Election

**Mumbai, India –** Actor Swara Bhasker and her husband, Fahad Ahmad, have accused the Election Commission of India of manipulating Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly elections. Ahmad, a NCP(SCP) candidate who lost the Anushakti Nagar constituency to Sana Malik, daughter of NCP leader Nawab Malik, alleges that EVMs showing 99% battery life after a full day of voting were used to swing the results in his opponent’s favour.

Ahmad claims he maintained a significant lead until round 16 of the vote counting. However, he alleges that the sudden introduction of EVMs displaying 99% battery charge in rounds 17-19 allowed the BJP-backed candidate to overtake him. Bhasker echoed these claims on X (formerly Twitter), questioning how machines used all day could retain such high battery levels and suggesting this indicated manipulation benefiting the BJP and its allies. Both Ahmad and Bhasker are demanding a recount of rounds 16-19.

These allegations have been supported by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who described the election results as “fishy” and questioned whether they truly reflected the people’s mandate. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is projected to win a landslide victory, with plans for a legislative party meeting on November 25th and a swearing-in ceremony on the 26th. The accusations of EVM manipulation add a significant layer of controversy to the election’s outcome.

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