MUMBAI, Jan. 14 -- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) decision to deploy Printing Auxiliary Display Unit (PADU) machines as a back up during vote counting if EVMs fail during the 2026 civic elections has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, particularly the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). For the first time, the civic body plans to use PADU machines during the counting of votes to display vote counts in case there is a technical malfunction in the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) control units. Municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani announced on Monday that the devices would function only as a contingency measure to prevent disruptions in the counting process. "These PADU units are acting as a backup. In case of any emergency or technical error in connecting the voting units to the control unit, PADU will be used. A total of 140 such units have been sent, and regional officers will manage them," Gagrani said. Emphasising that the machines were unlikely to be needed frequently, he added that they would serve as a safeguard against technical glitches and would print election results directly from the EVM control unit. The decision to use PADU machines was conveyed to political parties during a meeting on Monday, where civic officials clarified that these machines would be activated only in the event of an EVM failure. However, the explanation failed to allay concerns among opposition leaders, who questioned the legality and transparency of introducing a new device at such a late stage of the election process. Ruben Mascarenhas, working president of AAP Mumbai, told HT that the machines lacked the mandatory approval of the State Election Commission (SEC). "The problem is there is no SEC sanction for the use of that machine. When it comes to the balloting unit and the control unit, they are randomised and there is a defined process to determine which machine goes to which booth. With this PADU machine there is no randomisation or sanction of the election commission, and no checks by representatives of political parties. Why is this being brought in at the last minute?" he said. Describing the move as a fresh attempt at "vote chori", the AAP has written to the SEC objecting to what it called the "bizarre" use of PADU machines in the event of an EVM malfunction. "In yesterday's all-party meeting, we were told that a new machine, PADU, will be used if the EVM's display unit fails," AAP stated in its letter to the SEC. The party pointed out that EVM control units and ballot units are subjected to rigorous randomisation and checking protocols mandated by the election commission, in which party representatives also participate. "There is no such protocol for these PADU machines. How then can we be certain that these machines are displaying the actual result and are not tampering with it?" the letter asked. Mascarenhas argued that even if the probability of a display unit malfunction is low, the use of PADU without SEC approval is unacceptable. "The SEC should withdraw the use of these machines. If EVMs malfunction, the election is null and void," he said. "We urge the EC to direct the BMC commissioner not to use any machine like PADU which is not sanctioned by SEC orders," Mascarenhas added, asserting that it was the constitutional mandate of the SEC to ensure free and fair polls. Despite Mascarenhas's allegations, Gagrani clarified that the PADU machines have been sanctioned by the SEC....