20 May 2024: A viral video showing a village headman’s son casting multiple votes for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh’s Farrukhabad Lok Sabha constituency has sparked controversy and led to calls for a re-poll. The incident, which took place on May 13, during the third phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has raised serious concerns about electoral integrity.
The video, which was widely shared on social media, shows the youth, whose name is withheld as he is under 18, recording himself casting eight votes on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) for the BJP candidate and sitting MP, Mukesh Rajput. In the footage, he can be seen pressing the EVM button eight times and counting each vote boastfully.
Following the video’s release, UP’s Chief Election Officer, Navdeep Rinwa, recommended to the Election Commission of India (ECI) that a re-poll be conducted at the affected voting station. Rinwa also instructed that all members of the polling party involved be suspended and face disciplinary action. An FIR has been lodged at Nayagaon police station in Etah district under Sections 171-F and 419 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 128, 132, and 136 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The Farrukhabad Lok Sabha constituency includes four assembly segments in Farrukhabad district and one assembly seat, Aliganj, in Etah district. The incident occurred in village Khiriya Pamaran in Aliganj, Etah. Naval Kishor Shakya, the Samajwadi Party’s (SP) candidate in Farrukhabad, filed a complaint highlighting the “fake voting” at booth number 343 in Gram Khiriya Pamaran. Shakya alleged that the headman’s son “snatched” voting slips from voters and cast votes on their behalf, assisted by the police officer on duty, Dinesh Thakur.
Shakya also demanded re-polls at two other booths, 349 (Nagla Bhaggu) and 359 (Mangadpur), claiming that influential individuals prevented proper voting. He asserted that voters from his OBC community were obstructed from voting at booth 349.
The incident has drawn sharp reactions from opposition leaders. SP President Akhilesh Yadav mocked the Election Commission, stating, “The BJP’s booth committee is in fact a loot committee.” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also condemned the incident, accusing the BJP of attempting to “loot democracy” and warning election officials to adhere to their constitutional duties despite governmental pressure.
In response, Rinwa issued strict instructions to ensure rigorous voter identification procedures for the remaining phases of elections in UP. The BJP, which has won Farrukhabad in the last two elections, faces scrutiny as the state heads into the final three phases of voting for 41 seats.
This incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining electoral integrity and the challenges faced by election authorities in ensuring free and fair elections.
