In a significant move, Kolewadi gram sabha in Satara district, Maharashtra, has passed a resolution to revert to the use of ballot papers in future elections, becoming the second village in the state to reject Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Concerns Over EVM Credibility Spark Resolution
The decision to move away from EVMs came after doubts were raised by villagers about the reliability of EVMs. Residents expressed disappointment with the results of the Karad (South) assembly elections, where Prithviraj Chavan, a senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister, lost by a significant margin of 39,355 votes to BJP candidate Atul Bhosale. This outcome raised suspicions about the voting process in the area.
Markadwadi’s Similar Attempt and Aftermath
Kolewadi’s resolution comes shortly after Markadwadi village in Solapur district attempted to conduct mock “re-polling” using ballot papers to express concerns over EVM reliability. However, their efforts were thwarted by local authorities, leading to the registration of cases.
Village Sentiment for Ballot Paper Voting
The resolution was passed on December 2, 2024, following a gram sabha meeting, reflecting the collective sentiment of villagers. Shankarrao Patil, husband of the village sarpanch Ratnamala Patil, stated that the villagers expressed a strong desire for transparent elections, leading to the vote on the resolution.
“We have decided that future elections in Kolewadi should only be conducted using ballot papers,” said a resident of the village. “If the authorities insist on using EVMs, we will not participate in the elections.”
District Administration Response Pending
As of now, Satara district collector Jitendra Dudi confirmed that his office had not yet received an official copy of the resolution from the village panchayat. “Once we receive the resolution, we will review it and take the necessary actions,” he added.
This development underscores the growing debate over election transparency in Maharashtra and calls for a reassessment of the use of EVMs in the state.
