NEVER MOCK AN EVM

In a dramatic turn of events, plans for a symbolic "re-election" using ballot papers in Markadwadi village, Maharashtra, were thwarted after the police issued prohibitory orders and warned of legal action.

- Kalpesh Mhamunkar

The initiative, spearheaded by villagers dissatisfied with the recent assembly election results, highlighted growing concerns over the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

The plan was set in motion after villagers expressed disbelief over the results in their locality during the November 20 state elections. Although the elected NCP (SP) candidate, Uttamrao Jankar, won the Malshiras assembly seat with a margin of 13,147 votes, he received only 843 votes in Markadwadi compared to BJP's Ram Satpute, who secured 1,003. Many villagers found this outcome improbable, given the area's perceived support for Jankar.

Determined to test the results, some villagers organized a mock election with printed ballot papers replicating the official candidates and symbols. Five makeshift booths and electoral rolls were prepared to conduct the poll. However, heavy police deployment and administrative restrictions stopped the plan from taking off.

The Malshiras sub-divisional magistrate, Vijaya Pangarkar, had earlier dismissed the villagers’ plea for a ballot-based re-poll, calling it illegal and outside the election’s lawful scope. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita were imposed from December 2 to 5, barring gatherings.