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Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 14
Karan Dalal, Palwal MLA, on Tuesday filed a complaint to the Election Commission (EC) over the Faridabad booth capturing attempt, alleging that the presiding officer of the booth concerned is a teacher at a private university, which is against the provisions of the Representation of the People (RP) Act, 1951.
“This is for the first time in the election history of India that a deputy commissioner has played into the hands of the BJP government and appointed a presiding officer from a private education institution, which is against the provisions of the RP Act. Amit Kumar, assistant professor at Manav Rachna University, Faridabad, which is a private entity, was appointed presiding officer of booth number 88 at the Pithala constituency during the elections on May 12,” read his complaint.
The EC shifted IAS officer Atul Kumar as Faridabad DC on Monday after a video showing BJP poll agent Giriraj Singh pressing EVM button on behalf of three women at Asavati village (booth number 88) went viral.
The commission also barred micro-observer Sonal Gulati from election duty for three years on charges of reporting the incident incorrectly.
A repoll has been ordered at the booth on May 19.
Dalal said, “If no action is taken, we will move court. We may also hold a sit-in outside the EC office in Delhi. This is BJP’s new modus operandi to capture booths.”
The MLA has also sought action against state minister Manish Grover, alleging he was roaming freely in polling booths in Rohtak with musclemen and pressuring people to vote for BJP.
Garg takes over as new Faridabad DC
Faridabad: Ashok Kumar Garg on Tuesday took over as the Deputy Commissioner-cum-returning officer of Faridabad after the Election Commission shifted his predecessor Atul Kumar on Monday night. The transfer orders were issued against Kumar following the arrest of a BJP poll agent, who was accused of trying to push three women into voting for the lotus symbol at a booth in Asavati village of the constituency on Sunday. A case has already been registered against poll agent Giriraj Singh and presiding officer Amit Kumar of booth number 88. The video that went viral on social media on Sunday showed an agent sitting inside the booth pressing EVM button on behalf of some voters. A case has been registered against the two accused. The election authorities have ordered a repoll at the booth where the incident took place. Congress candidate Avtar Singh Bhadana claimed irregularities took place at over 25 booths. He said he had sought repoll at the polling stations located in Sector 28 of Faridabad, Mewla Maharajpur, Newada village and the NIT area of the city. He also met the new returning officer in this connection. TNS
Notice to sarpanch on Tanwar’s complaint
Sirsa: The Sirsa returning officer has served a notice on the sarpanch of Mangala village of the district on the complaint of violation of poll code filed by Congress candidate from Sirsa Ashok Tanwar on Tuesday. The complainant alleged that Mangala village sarpanch Raj Kumar, who is a BJP supporter, had violated the model code of conduct and a video showing the sarpanch disclosing the details of the votes the BJP candidate was getting from particular booths had gone viral. An official press release stated that Prabhjot Singh, returning officer, had issued a show-cause notice to the sarpanch. tns
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