The South Asian: Tribals Boycott Elections in Maharastra District

April 27, 2009

Tribals Boycott Elections in Maharastra District

22800 members of tribal communities in 24 villages in Jalgaon district have not voted in election – boycotting the elections in protest of the systemic and government led violation of Forest Law, 2006.

As per decision of ‘Adivasi Panchayat’ held on 4rth April 09, at Vaijapur village, talluka- Chopada, Distt. Jalgaon (Maharastra), 22 thousand 8oo tribal voters belonging to 24 Villages have kept their votes with them and boycotted the electoral process. The decision was successfully implemented and the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) returned back without use.

Election was held on 23^rd of April. Tribals (Pawara, Kokani & Bhil) have shown their united strength of struggle and also filed their protest against Jalgaon administration that has rejected their legitimate rights over forestland cultivating since long. Political parties and district administration have tried to break their unity by hook and crook but tribals maintained their unity strong and replied them that democracy should be based on truth, determination for serving the people’s cause and fulfillment of constitutional obligations instead of making fraud with masses.

Few among tribals belonging to different political parties have also left their parties and come into movement to follow the call. Though they have their belief in the electoral process but no other option was left for them to express their protest after proving all exercises futile of democratic protest. No political party was come out for the support during the struggle of tribal seeking for justice.

The decision for ‘not to vote in parliament’, was taken by tribal’s panchayat against the authoritarian approach of Jalgaon administration rejecting the claims filed by tribals without following the legal processors meant by ‘forest law, 2006’. Electronic media and print media was published the issue prominently.

The voting figures of following villages are; -

Serial No.	Village	No. Off Vote	Serial No.	Village	No. Off Vote
1	Uttamnagar-	Nil	13	Devgarh	Nil
2	Morchida	Nil	14	Bormali	Nil
3	Amalvadi-	Nil	15	Kundya Pani	Nil
4	Malapur	Nil	16	Chandnya Talav	Nil
5	Gauthyapada	Nil	17	Pansevdi	Nil
6	Umarti	Nil	18	Pandheri	Nil
7	Khathyapada	Nil	19	Ziyarat Pada	Nil
8	Vaizapur	Nil	20	Unapdev	5
9	Mulyauthar	Nil	21	Devhari	600/735
10	Shenpani	Nil	22	Borajanti	304/1800
11	Karjana	2	23	Satrasen	257/1450
12	Mellane	23/1050	24	Monapuri	Nil

Total vote is 22800 and vote polled is 1191

- Pratibha Shinde

Posted by collective at April 27, 2009 10:29 AM

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