National Desk, 5th April: The Indian National Congress unveiled its manifesto today, presenting plans to reform election laws and protect personal freedoms ahead of the upcoming elections. In a move to enhance transparency and accountability in the electoral process, the party proposed a hybrid voting system that combines the efficiency of electronic voting machines (EVMs) with the transparency of traditional ballot papers.
Under the proposed system, voters will cast their votes using EVMs, receiving a machine-generated voting slip that can be deposited into the Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) unit for verification. This cross-checking process between electronic vote tallies and VVPAT slip tallies aims to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the voting process.
“Our commitment is to modernize our electoral system while maintaining transparency,” affirmed a Congress spokesperson. “Our proposal blends the convenience of EVMs with the assurance of a paper trail, providing voters with confidence in the electoral outcome.”
In addition to electoral reforms, the Congress manifesto addresses personal freedoms, pledging to safeguard citizens’ rights to make choices regarding food, dress, love, marriage, travel, and residence across India. The party vowed to repeal any laws or rules unreasonably infringing on these freedoms, signaling a dedication to individual autonomy and diversity.
Furthermore, the Congress party promises to amend the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution to tackle political defection. The proposed amendment would automatically disqualify members from the Assembly or Parliament who defect from the original party on which they were elected.
“We are committed to upholding democratic principles and preserving the integrity of our institutions,” stated a senior Congress leader. “Through these reforms, we aim to strengthen democratic processes and protect the fundamental rights of every Indian citizen.”
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