Wed Nov 20 15:36:45 UTC 2024: ## Violence Mars Maharashtra Elections: Polling Booth Vandalised, NCP Worker Assaulted

**Parli, Maharashtra –** Violence marred polling in the Parli assembly constituency today, with reports of a polling booth being vandalised and an NCP worker assaulted. The incident occurred amidst the ongoing Maharashtra state assembly elections.

Madhav Jadhav, a local leader of the Sharad Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was assaulted in Parli town. Video footage of the assault quickly spread on social media. Following this, a polling booth in Ghatnandur within the same constituency was targeted. Individuals reportedly entered the booth, threw an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to the ground, and damaged the furniture.

Beed Collector Avinash Pathak confirmed the incident, stating that the administration swiftly replaced the damaged EVM and voting resumed. He assured that the data from the initial EVM was secure and would be included in the final count. Pathak also indicated that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the vandalism.

Further allegations of irregularities emerged from NCP (SP) candidate Rajesaheb Deshmukh. He claimed that a CCTV camera at a polling booth in Dharmapuri was deliberately disabled. A video circulating online shows Deshmukh confronting polling officials about the disconnected camera cable. Deshmukh also alleged that members of minority communities were being prevented from voting and that fraudulent voting was taking place. He questioned the integrity of the electoral process, stating it felt more like a formality than a genuine election.

Polling across all 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra concluded at 6 pm today. These incidents in Parli highlight concerns about the fairness and security of the ongoing elections. Investigations into the assault and vandalism are underway.

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