The Kolewadi gram sabha in Satara district has passed a landmark resolution to conduct future elections using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). This move makes Kolewadi the second village in Maharashtra to officially oppose EVM usage, citing doubts over their reliability and credibility.
Why Was the Resolution Passed?
The resolution, passed during a gram sabha meeting on December 2, reflects the growing concerns among villagers regarding the transparency of EVM-based elections. The village, part of the Karad (South) assembly constituency, recently witnessed Congress leader and former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan losing to BJP candidate Atul Bhosale by a margin of 39,355 votes.
Residents expressed their dissatisfaction, claiming that the election results did not align with their expectations. According to Shankarrao Patil, husband of the village sarpanch Ratnamala Patil, the resolution honors the collective demand of the villagers to revert to the ballot paper system.
Markadwadi’s Failed Attempt Inspires Kolewadi
The move comes days after villagers in Markadwadi, located in Solapur’s Malshiras constituency, attempted mock “re-polling” with ballot papers to demonstrate their lack of trust in EVMs. However, their efforts were thwarted by local authorities, leading to the registration of cases.
Villagers Ready to Boycott EVM-Based Elections
A Kolewadi resident stated, “We have resolved that if future elections are conducted with EVMs, we will boycott the polling process. The Election Commission must consider our demand for transparent and trustworthy elections using ballot papers.”
Administration Awaits Official Resolution
While the resolution has made headlines, Satara district collector Jitendra Dudi clarified that his office had not yet received an official copy. “Once we receive the resolution, we will evaluate and take necessary steps,” Dudi assured.
This development underscores a growing debate over election transparency and the public’s trust in EVMs. Kolewadi’s decision reflects a broader demand for ensuring credibility in the voting process and could reignite discussions at the state and national levels.
