Markadwadi village in Solapur’s Malshiras taluka has become the center of a heated political controversy after the cancellation of a proposed ballot paper voting process. Villagers had earlier decided to conduct the vote manually, raising doubts about the reliability of EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines), which allegedly favored the BJP in previous elections with an improbable 80% vote share. However, the attempt was thwarted due to strict police intervention and legal restrictions.
Ballot Paper Voting in Markadwadi Canceled Amid Police Restrictions and Controversial Audio Clip
Solapur, December 3: In a significant turn of events, the ballot paper voting process scheduled in Markadwadi village, Malshiras, has been canceled following police enforcement and prohibitory orders. This comes after villagers alleged irregularities with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the recent election, claiming they were manipulated to favor the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Despite initial determination to conduct the ballot paper vote, villagers had to retract their decision under intense pressure from local authorities. Police officials enforced Section 144 in the area, warning villagers that any attempt to proceed with the voting would lead to legal action and confiscation of ballot materials.
Decision to Cancel Ballot Paper Voting
The situation escalated as residents gathered outside the Markadwadi Gram Panchayat to begin the voting process. However, following consultations between law enforcement and Sharad Pawar group MLA Uttamrao Jankar, a collective decision was made to halt the proceedings. Jankar stated, “If the police are determined not to allow the voting, it’s better to avoid clashes and chaos. We’ll take our concerns to higher authorities, including the Election Commission.”
Jankar alleged discrepancies in the previous election results, claiming his opponent received an unexpectedly high number of votes from the village. “According to my assessment, I should have secured 1,400 votes compared to my opponent’s 502. However, the results showed my opponent receiving over 1,000 votes,” Jankar said.
Controversial Audio Clip Emerges
Adding to the controversy, former MLA Ram Satpute released an audio clip allegedly featuring a conversation between Jankar’s supporter, Abba Sopan Markad, and a voter. In the clip, Markad purportedly urges the voter to participate in the ballot process to confirm if EVMs were flawed or if votes were genuinely against Jankar. The clip includes statements like, “We only need to cast the votes in the ballot box to identify the problem.”
Authenticity of the Clip Not Verified
While the audio has sparked heated debates, the authenticity of the clip remains unverified. Neither the police nor the Election Commission has confirmed the legitimacy of the recording. Additionally, this platform does not endorse, approve, or declare the audio clip as original. The emergence of the clip has, however, intensified discussions around the integrity of the voting process and the credibility of EVMs.
Path Forward for Villagers
Uttamrao Jankar has vowed to escalate the issue, stating that a formal protest and appeal will be filed with the Sub-Divisional Officer and the Election Commission. “We will not stop until justice is served and the truth about the voting irregularities is revealed,” Jankar asserted.
The Markadwadi case continues to raise questions about electoral transparency and the challenges faced by local governance in ensuring a fair democratic process. Meanwhile, the villagers remain divided over their next course of action as the incident gains statewide attention.
Disclaimer: We have not approved, verified, or confirmed the authenticity of the viral audio clip mentioned in this article.
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