Sharad Pawar Advocates for Reforming the 'EVM Election System' in Markadwadi Village

Solapur (Maharashtra), Dec 8 (NationPress) Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar made a strong appeal for overhauling the nation’s election framework, noting that the public has lost confidence in the current Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), during his visit to Markadwadi village here on Sunday.

Engaging with the villagers and later addressing a rally, Pawar, 83, remarked that numerous advanced nations like the US, UK, and others have already moved away from EVMs and now utilize ballot papers, highlighting the need for India to follow suit.

"People now harbor doubts about the results of EVM elections. The outcomes breed skepticism among the public. The masses feel that 'something is amiss'. If the entire world is using ballot papers, why shouldn’t India? A change in the election system is imperative," Pawar stated emphatically.

Mentioning the 'mock ballot paper polling' held in Markadwadi on December 3—which was interrupted by police and civil officials—Pawar questioned what was wrong with citizens wanting to verify if their votes had been counted.

"The authorities halted the 'mock ballot paper' voting; police enforced prohibitory orders and obstructed the democratic process. We conversed with the public, and the feedback indicates that although they voted, the results did not align with their expectations," Pawar asserted.

He indicated that Markadwadi has gained national attention, with discussions and inquiries about its location, while addressing enthusiastic crowds displaying banners that read 'EVM Hatao, Desh Bachao, Samvidhan Bachao' (Abolish EVMs, Save the Nation, Protect the Constitution).

"Why do we possess a democracy... Is it inappropriate to question the election results? What necessitated the police intervention on December 3? The villagers should pass a resolution advocating for 'ballot paper voting', which I will take up with the relevant authorities," he declared.

NCP (SP) MLA Uttamrao S. Jankar questioned why the Election Commission of India (ECI) couldn’t conduct just one election using paper ballots to dispel public doubts.

"The ECI should heed our request. What’s the harm in holding Assembly seat elections using ballot papers if it alleviates public concerns? If they refuse, we will approach the Supreme Court," Jankar stated, as hundreds of his supporters rallied behind him.

Pawar, along with state party chief Jayant R. Patil, senior leaders Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, Vidya Chavan, and others, received a warm welcome from Malshiras' NCP (SP) MLA Uttamrao S. Jankar, local party workers, and a large gathering of enthusiastic villagers from Markadwadi, which has become a focal point for the anti-EVM campaign.

During their initial discussions with some voters, several women reported being warned against participating in the mock ballot paper polling, and some seniors called for a ban on EVMs, stating that injustice was done to voters.

Following the visit of NCP (SP) leaders, Congress' Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, and other INDIA-bloc allies are expected to visit Markadwadi in the upcoming weeks, aiming to galvanize national public opinion against EVMs.

At least three victorious MLAs from MVA have expressed their willingness to resign and contest elections again, provided the ECI conducts them using ballot papers. These include state Congress President Nana F. Patole from Sakoli (Bhandara), SS (UBT)’s Sunil Raut from Vikhroli (Mumbai), and NCP (SP)’s Uttamrao S. Jankar from Malshiras (Solapur).

Other leaders such as Patole, Aditya Thackeray, Rohit R. Pawar, and more have also raised concerns regarding EVMs, advocating for a return to the paper ballot voting system.

In response, state Bharatiya Janata Party President Chandrashekhar Bawankule challenged all 46 MVA legislators to resign if they doubted the legitimacy of EVMs, while NCP (SP) Working President Supriya Sule urged that the upcoming civic elections should be conducted using ballot papers to address public concerns.

Other ruling MahaYuti allies, Nationalist Congress Party Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena's Uday Samant, dismissed it as the Opposition's theatrics, asserting that they have faced defeat in the Assembly elections and are attempting to shift blame onto the EVMs.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: qnajmi@gmail.com)