11, Mar 2022 | CJP Team

CJP has once again brought to the attention of the Election Commission of India (ECI) as well as the State Election Commission (SEC), Uttar Pradesh, some more reports of poll code violations received from the ground during polling in different phases of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. While the veracity of these claims of alleged bogus voting, malfunctioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), and intimidation of voters could not be ascertained, CJP has sought an inquiry into these incidents.

The complaint states that these incidents, if true, not only violate the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) issued by the Election Commission of India but also constitute offences as per the provisions of the Representation of People Act, 1951. It further states that if these are not taken into consideration and due inquiry is not done, it can pose a threat to democracy, and can have a serious impact on the conduct of free and fair elections.

Therefore, considering the gravity and the implications of the above-mentioned incidents, CJP wrote a letter to both Commissions on March 10, 2022 asking to take into consideration the ground reports received, and initiate a due enquiry into the allegations being made and take a necessary action.

The letter listed down the detailed reports of the incidents along with the booth numbers, constituency and districts of the state, specifically mentioning the allegations behind the incidents by categorising them into different categories such as: Faulty EVM, Bogus voting, Obstruction at booths and Candidates obstructed at polling booths.

There were six incidents of bogus voting, two incidents of booth obstructions, one incident of faulty EVMs at several polling booths across the constituencies of Mirjapur, Malhani, Sagdi, Zafarbad, Sevapuri, Jaunpur and Varanasi Saudh.

Besides this, there have also been reports of voter impersonation, the suspicious role played by Gujarat Police in the Uttar Pradesh polls, and voters being influenced outside poll booths by being handed over slips with candidate’s name and photo on it.

The letter has also cited Supreme Court judgements in which the court has stated that democracy and free elections are a part of the basic structure of the Constitution. It appealed to the ECI to look into the allegations, consider the ground reports received, and take appropriate action against the same.

The complaint may be read here: 

Image Courtesy: newindianexpress.com

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