CJP has brought to the attention of the Election Commission of India (ECI) as well as the State Election Commission (SEC), Uttar Pradesh, some reports received from the ground during polling in different phases of the Assembly elections. While the veracity of these claims of alleged bogus voting, malfunctioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), and threatening 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 Representative 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 upon conducting free and fair elections in UP.
Therefore, considering the gravity and the implications of the above mentioned incidents, CJP wrote a letter to both Commissions on February 24, 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 in this regard.
The letter listed down the detailed reports of the incidents along with the booth numbers, constituency and districts of the State specifically mentioning 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 6 incidents of faulty EVM, 7 incidents of bogus voting, 5 incidents of booth obstructions and 4 incidents of candidates being obstructed at several polling booths across the districts of Kannauj, Mainpuri, Etah, Firozabad, Kasganj, Kanpur and Etah.
The letter 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:
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