Special Correspondent
Pune: A storm of protest is brewing in Wagholi as hundreds of residents find their Voter ID applications systematically rejected over the past several months. The WACO Welfare Association has strongly condemned what it describes as a “deliberate and discriminatory” process adopted by the Election Department functioning out of Room No. 208, 2nd Floor, Shirur Tahsil Office. The association alleges that for the past 4 to 5 months, every Form 6 (for new voters) and Form 8 (for transfer or correction) submitted by Wagholi residents has been redirected to the Shirur office — over 50 kilometers away — for physical document verification.
Despite applicants submitting valid documentation online or through standard channels, the Election Department has reportedly made it mandatory for individuals to appear in person at the Shirur office for verification. Those who have been unable to make the long and costly journey — including working professionals, senior citizens, women, and students — have seen their applications summarily rejected. In many cases, applicants were given no clear reason for the rejection beyond non-appearance. WACO claims that the rejection rate has touched 100%, with not a single application being approved unless the applicant appeared physically.
Residents and activists see this not just as an inconvenience, but a violation of their constitutional right to vote. “This is not just red tape — it is a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise the people of Wagholi,” said a spokesperson for WACO. “In an era of digital governance and remote verification, forcing people to travel over 50 km for something as basic as a voter ID verification is both unjust and exclusionary.”
The Welfare Association is now calling for immediate intervention. They are demanding a full inquiry into the working of the Shirur Election Office and the procedures adopted by its staff. The group has also called for the establishment of a local verification facility in Wagholi to spare residents the hardship of travel. In addition, they are advocating for the introduction of digital or video-call based verification options to improve accessibility and transparency in the process.
The Association is urging the Election Commission of India and the relevant authorities in Maharashtra to step in without delay. They warn that unless urgent corrective measures are taken, hundreds of legitimate voters in Wagholi will continue to be left out of the electoral roll — a disenfranchisement they say could have serious consequences in upcoming elections.
