Pune, Feb 3 (PTI) – A gram panchayat in Maharashtra's Sangli district has taken a significant step by passing a resolution favoring the use of ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in future elections. The move, aimed at "protecting the Constitution," was confirmed by a gram sabha member.
Bahe village, located in Walva tehsil of Sangli district, has now become the second village in western Maharashtra to make such a decision. Earlier in December, Kolewadi village in Karad (South) constituency of Satara district had also resolved to conduct future polls using ballot papers.
"The gram sabha in Bahe recently passed a resolution advocating for ballot papers in all upcoming elections, rejecting EVMs. We urge other villages and gram panchayats to adopt similar resolutions to safeguard democracy and the Constitution," said a Bahe gram sabha representative.
Following the resolution, the villagers submitted their decision to the tehsildar, reinforcing their stance against EVMs.
This development comes amid growing skepticism from Opposition leaders regarding the credibility of EVMs, particularly after the BJP and its allies secured victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections held in November.
In a similar expression of doubt, residents of Markadwadi in the Malshiras constituency of Solapur district attempted to conduct a mock election using ballot papers. This move followed concerns over the reduced victory margin of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) candidate.
The debate over EVMs continues to gain momentum in Maharashtra, with more villages questioning their reliability and advocating for traditional voting methods.
Bahe village, located in Walva tehsil of Sangli district, has now become the second village in western Maharashtra to make such a decision. Earlier in December, Kolewadi village in Karad (South) constituency of Satara district had also resolved to conduct future polls using ballot papers.
"The gram sabha in Bahe recently passed a resolution advocating for ballot papers in all upcoming elections, rejecting EVMs. We urge other villages and gram panchayats to adopt similar resolutions to safeguard democracy and the Constitution," said a Bahe gram sabha representative.
Following the resolution, the villagers submitted their decision to the tehsildar, reinforcing their stance against EVMs.
This development comes amid growing skepticism from Opposition leaders regarding the credibility of EVMs, particularly after the BJP and its allies secured victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections held in November.
In a similar expression of doubt, residents of Markadwadi in the Malshiras constituency of Solapur district attempted to conduct a mock election using ballot papers. This move followed concerns over the reduced victory margin of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) candidate.
The debate over EVMs continues to gain momentum in Maharashtra, with more villages questioning their reliability and advocating for traditional voting methods.
