By Inderjit Badhwar
The events unfolding in Markadwadi, a small village in Maharashtra, have sparked a conversation that goes to the heart of India’s democratic identity. The villagers’ initiative to organize a “people’s poll” using paper ballots was a courageous, creative response to growing suspicions about the credibility of electronic voting machines (EVMs). The administration’s heavy-handed imposition of a police curfew to thwart this initiative reflects the deep-rooted fear of genuine grassroots democracy. This is not just the story of one village—it is a warning bell for the entire nation.
India, the world’s largest democracy, has prided itself on the robustness of its electoral system. But over the years, a significant erosion of trust has emerged, particularly regarding EVMs. Allegations of vote manipulation, software vulnerabilities and hacking have cast a shadow on election outcomes. Despite assurances from the Election Commission and technocrats about the infallibility of EVMs, skepticism persists. Several political parties have raised red flags, yet their opposition has largely been confined to performative social media posts rather than meaningful action.
The judiciary, traditionally the guardian of constitutional values, has also disappointed those seeking redress. Court rulings have consistently upheld the use of EVMs without delving deeply into the growing mistrust among the electorate. The failure of institutional mechanisms to address these concerns has created a vacuum—one that Markadwadi has courageously sought to fill.
The villagers of Markadwadi, convinced that the results of the last election had been tampered with, decided to hold their own independent election using paper ballots. This voluntary initiative, organized without political interference or institutional support, was an audacious attempt to reclaim the integrity of democracy. It was more than a symbolic gesture; it was an act of defiance against a system perceived to be failing its people.
Yet, instead of engaging with this grassroots movement, the administration chose to crush it. By imposing a police curfew, it revealed a troubling tendency to prioritize control over accountability. Such actions send a chilling message: dissent, even in its most democratic forms, will not be tolerated.
The debate over EVMs is not merely a technical one—it is deeply psychological. For many voters, paper ballots symbolize transparency and trust. They offer a tangible, verifiable record that EVMs, with their perceived opacity, do not. Countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Ireland have abandoned electronic voting after recognizing its potential vulnerabilities. India must not ignore these precedents.
Markadwadi’s experiment highlights the need for a hybrid electoral system—one that combines the efficiency of technology with the reliability of paper-based audits. The introduction of voter-verifiable paper audit trails (VVPATs) was a step in the right direction, but it has fallen short in restoring public confidence. The limited use of VVPATs in recounts and the lack of systematic auditing undermine their potential as a trust-building tool.
What happened in Markadwadi should not remain an isolated incident. Its larger message—that democracy belongs to the people, not the administrators—must resonate across India. The villagers’ initiative has captured the imagination of the nation, igniting a movement that could push for deeper electoral reforms.
To sustain this momentum, citizens and civil society must rally behind the cause. Political parties, too, must go beyond lip service and demonstrate their commitment to electoral integrity. Grassroots organizations and independent activists can play a crucial role in mobilizing public opinion and advocating for systemic changes.
India stands at a crossroads. The choice is stark: continue down the path of centralized, opaque election management, or embrace a model that empowers citizens and restores faith in the democratic process. Markadwadi has shown that ordinary people can lead extraordinary movements. But for this spark to become a flame, it needs support—from lawmakers, the judiciary, and most importantly, from the public.
The time has come to demand accountability, transparency, and reform. India’s democracy is too precious to be compromised by doubts and distrust. The Markadwadi experiment, though stifled by the administration, has planted the seeds of change. It is up to us to nurture them.
Grassroots democracy is not a threat; it is the essence of our republic. Markadwadi has reminded us of that truth. Let us honour their courage by standing with them and demanding an electoral system that reflects the will of the people remain paramount.
The post appeared first on .
The events unfolding in Markadwadi, a small village in Maharashtra, have sparked a conversation that goes to the heart of India’s democratic identity. The villagers’ initiative to organize a “people’s poll” using paper ballots was a courageous, creative response to growing suspicions about the credibility of electronic voting machines (EVMs). The administration’s heavy-handed imposition of a police curfew to thwart this initiative reflects the deep-rooted fear of genuine grassroots democracy. This is not just the story of one village—it is a warning bell for the entire nation.
India, the world’s largest democracy, has prided itself on the robustness of its electoral system. But over the years, a significant erosion of trust has emerged, particularly regarding EVMs. Allegations of vote manipulation, software vulnerabilities and hacking have cast a shadow on election outcomes. Despite assurances from the Election Commission and technocrats about the infallibility of EVMs, skepticism persists. Several political parties have raised red flags, yet their opposition has largely been confined to performative social media posts rather than meaningful action.
The judiciary, traditionally the guardian of constitutional values, has also disappointed those seeking redress. Court rulings have consistently upheld the use of EVMs without delving deeply into the growing mistrust among the electorate. The failure of institutional mechanisms to address these concerns has created a vacuum—one that Markadwadi has courageously sought to fill.
The villagers of Markadwadi, convinced that the results of the last election had been tampered with, decided to hold their own independent election using paper ballots. This voluntary initiative, organized without political interference or institutional support, was an audacious attempt to reclaim the integrity of democracy. It was more than a symbolic gesture; it was an act of defiance against a system perceived to be failing its people.
Yet, instead of engaging with this grassroots movement, the administration chose to crush it. By imposing a police curfew, it revealed a troubling tendency to prioritize control over accountability. Such actions send a chilling message: dissent, even in its most democratic forms, will not be tolerated.
The debate over EVMs is not merely a technical one—it is deeply psychological. For many voters, paper ballots symbolize transparency and trust. They offer a tangible, verifiable record that EVMs, with their perceived opacity, do not. Countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Ireland have abandoned electronic voting after recognizing its potential vulnerabilities. India must not ignore these precedents.
Markadwadi’s experiment highlights the need for a hybrid electoral system—one that combines the efficiency of technology with the reliability of paper-based audits. The introduction of voter-verifiable paper audit trails (VVPATs) was a step in the right direction, but it has fallen short in restoring public confidence. The limited use of VVPATs in recounts and the lack of systematic auditing undermine their potential as a trust-building tool.
What happened in Markadwadi should not remain an isolated incident. Its larger message—that democracy belongs to the people, not the administrators—must resonate across India. The villagers’ initiative has captured the imagination of the nation, igniting a movement that could push for deeper electoral reforms.
To sustain this momentum, citizens and civil society must rally behind the cause. Political parties, too, must go beyond lip service and demonstrate their commitment to electoral integrity. Grassroots organizations and independent activists can play a crucial role in mobilizing public opinion and advocating for systemic changes.
India stands at a crossroads. The choice is stark: continue down the path of centralized, opaque election management, or embrace a model that empowers citizens and restores faith in the democratic process. Markadwadi has shown that ordinary people can lead extraordinary movements. But for this spark to become a flame, it needs support—from lawmakers, the judiciary, and most importantly, from the public.
The time has come to demand accountability, transparency, and reform. India’s democracy is too precious to be compromised by doubts and distrust. The Markadwadi experiment, though stifled by the administration, has planted the seeds of change. It is up to us to nurture them.
Grassroots democracy is not a threat; it is the essence of our republic. Markadwadi has reminded us of that truth. Let us honour their courage by standing with them and demanding an electoral system that reflects the will of the people remain paramount.
The post appeared first on .