Heavy Police Deployment in Maharashtra Village Over ‘Repoll’ Demand

GG News Bureau
Solapur, 3rd Dec. Heavy police security was deployed in Markadwadi village under the Malshiras Assembly constituency on Tuesday after locals expressed doubts over the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and insisted on a “re-election” using ballot papers. The move follows the November 20 state elections where NCP (SP) candidate Uttam Jankar defeated BJP’s Ram Satpute by 13,147 votes.

Residents of the village claimed discrepancies in the EVM results, alleging that Jankar received fewer votes than expected. The controversy began when locals noted that of the 1,900 votes cast in the village, Jankar polled 843 votes compared to Satpute’s 1,003, raising suspicions about the accuracy of EVMs.

Despite the district administration rejecting the request for a ballot-based repoll, villagers set up arrangements for their own re-election process on December 3. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita were imposed from December 2 to 5 to prevent clashes or disruptions.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Malshiraj division) Narayan Shirgavkar confirmed the deployment of substantial police forces to maintain law and order. “Security measures are in place, and roads in the village have been closed to prevent unauthorized activities,” he stated.

Uttam Jankar, present in the village during the developments, remarked that villagers were adamant about conducting the repoll despite warnings from authorities. He added that the police had threatened legal action and confiscation of polling materials if the “repoll” proceeded.

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive victory in the Maharashtra elections, winning 230 of 288 seats. However, controversies like these highlight ongoing concerns about trust in the EVM system among sections of voters.