9 May 2024: The Election Commission (EC) has mandated a fresh round of voting on May 11 at a polling station within the Dahod Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat. This directive comes in response to a viral video showing the live-streaming of voting on May 7 by the son of a BJP leader. The incident has stirred controversy, prompting the EC to take decisive action.
According to official sources on Thursday, four election officials, including a presiding officer, an assistant presiding officer, and two polling officers, along with a police constable, have been suspended in connection with the occurrence. The office of the Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) released a statement confirming the nullification of the voting conducted at the Parthampur polling station in Santrampur taluka, Mahisagar district, after reports of irregularities surfaced.
The decision to annul the voting was made following a report submitted by the Returning Officer and Observer, detailing the observed irregularities. Promptly upon receiving the report, the CEO sought further clarification from the Returning Officer regarding the incident.
Under section 58, sub-section 2 of the Representation of the People Act, the Election Commission declared the polling held on May 7 at the affected polling station null and void. A fresh round of voting has been scheduled to take place between 7 am and 6 pm on May 11.
The Congress party had filed a complaint with the EC, alleging “booth capturing” and “bogus voting,” substantiated by a copy of the viral video, and demanded a repoll.
The accused individual, Vijay Bhabhor, reportedly remained in the polling booth for approximately five minutes, during which he live-streamed the voting process on Instagram and purportedly cast votes on behalf of two other electors, engaging in bogus voting.
The Congress candidate in the constituency, Prabha Taviad, is contesting against the incumbent MP Jasvantsinh Bhabhor. The Congress party claims that the individual who shared the live-streamed video of “booth capturing” on Instagram is the son of a local BJP leader.
The video depicts Vijay Bhabhor focusing the camera on the electronic voting machine (EVM) and the voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machine, requesting additional time from a poll official despite being asked to leave. Bhabhor is heard purportedly stating, “Only the BJP works here,” before pressing a button on the EVM, indicating his affiliation. He was subsequently detained on charges of bogus voting.
The EC’s decision to order a repoll underscores its commitment to upholding the integrity and fairness of the electoral process, ensuring that every vote counts and the democratic principles are upheld.
