Sharad Pawar calls for a change in the EVM election system at Markadwadi village

Solapur

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar called for a major overhaul of India’s election system, expressing growing public distrust in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). During his visit to Markadwadi village on Sunday, Pawar highlighted how several countries, including the US and the UK, have already abandoned EVMs in favor of paper ballots, and argued that India should follow suit. Pawar noted that there are increasing doubts among the public regarding EVM results, with many feeling that the election outcomes don’t align with their expectations. He questioned why India, a democracy, continues to rely on EVMs when the rest of the world has moved to paper ballots. Referring to a recent 'mock ballot paper polling' event in Markadwadi, which was stopped by authorities, he expressed frustration that people were not allowed to check if their votes had been counted. He urged villagers to pass a resolution calling for ballot paper voting, and promised to take their request to the relevant authorities. Additionally, NCP leader Uttamrao S. Jankar echoed the demand for paper ballots, suggesting that one election on paper ballots could help restore public confidence. Other political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Uddhav Thackeray, are expected to visit Markadwadi to support the anti-EVM movement. Meanwhile, the BJP criticized the opposition for using this issue to cover up their election losses.

Sharad Pawar visited Markadwadi to gauge villagers' views on the 'mock ballot paper poll'

On Sunday, Sharad Pawar, President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), visited Markadwadi in Solapur to question why authorities stopped villagers from conducting a "mock ballot paper poll" on December 3. Pawar, along with senior party leaders like Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil and local MLA Uttamrao S. Jankar, was warmly received by the villagers, who have gained national attention for their campaign against Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). During his visit, Pawar met with locals and later addressed a public rally supporting the push for reverting to paper ballot voting.