Pune: In the lead-up to the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections, a mobile van aimed at raising awareness about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) was launched in the Khed-Alandi Assembly constituency.

The event, held at the Khed Tehsil office, was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister of the district, Ajit Pawar. However, the program’s execution has sparked controversy, with concerns raised about a potential violation of the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct.

The mobile van demonstration was intended to educate the public on how to use EVMs as part of a broader awareness campaign in the Khed-Alandi constituency.

According to reports, Tehsildar Jyoti Deore organized the event and invited Ajit Pawar to officially inaugurate the campaign. This has led to criticism from various quarters, as the Election Commission's guidelines clearly state that ministers, political leaders, and representatives from specific parties should not be involved in election-related programs.

The situation has escalated, and District Collector Suhas Divase has issued a show-cause notice to Tehsildar Jyoti Deore for allowing the event to proceed with Ajit Pawar’s participation. The notice asks for clarification on why the program was conducted in this manner, potentially breaching the Election Commission's rules.

The Election Commission’s guidelines explicitly prohibit the presence of ministers or political representatives at such events to maintain impartiality and fairness in the election process.

Despite these regulations, Sub-Divisional Officer Anil Daunde and Tehsildar Jyoti Deore went ahead with the program, inviting the Deputy Chief Minister to inaugurate the mobile van, sparking concerns about a breach of the Model Code of Conduct.