Case filed against NCP leader Uttam Jankar and 88 others for attempting 'illegal re-election' using ballot paper in Maharashtra

NEW DELHI: Police have registered a case against NCP (SP) leader Uttam Jankar and 88 others after a group of residents from Markadwadi village in Solapur district attempted to conduct an illegal "re-election" using ballot papers, an official confirmed.

Prior to this, over 200 individuals were charged for defying prohibitory orders and attempting the unauthorized election process.

On Wednesday, Jankar, who secured victory in the Malshiras assembly seat during the recent Maharashtra elections, and others were booked for unlawful assembly, disobeying public servant orders, and other charges under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The incident unfolded on Tuesday morning when around 250 to 300 individuals gathered in Markadwadi to conduct a "re-poll," defying prohibitory orders and urging others to participate. The plan for a "re-election" was sparked by suspicions about the vote count from an EVM booth in the village.

However, after intervention from police, the villagers abandoned the plan. Jankar had defeated BJP's Ram Satpute by 13,147 votes in the election. Despite his victory, Markadwadi residents raised concerns about the number of votes he received compared to Satpute, citing doubts over the EVM results.

The Solapur district administration had denied permission for the re-poll and enforced prohibitory orders to prevent any unlawful assembly. Police meetings with Jankar and the villagers helped clarify the legal implications, resulting in the cancellation of the "re-poll" plans.


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