Shillong, March 1: The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Meghalaya has instructed the District Election Officer (DEO) of Ri Bhoi district to conduct immediate inquiry into the alleged incident of violation of secrecy of voting in 35-Shiliang Umdoh Polling Station under 8- Mawhati Assembly Constituency during voting on February 27 for Assembly election.
The DEO has been asked to submit the action taken report to the CEO on the basis of the inquiry latest by March 3.
It has come to the notice of the CEO, that apparently, there is a viral image circulating in the social media, with a photograph allegedly depicting a voter pressing the ballot button, in favour of a particular candidate in the ballot unit, which tantamount to violation of secrecy of voting, despite strict instructions issued to ensure that that voters at polling stations should not be allowed to carry mobile phones, inside the voting compartment.
In connection with the apparent violation, which appears to be an aberration, the District Election Officer, Ri-Bhoi District, where the above aberration appeared to have been committed, has been directed to cause immediate inquiry, with a view to ascertain the facts of the alleged violation.
The violation reportedly occurred in 35-Shiliang Umdoh Polling Station under 8- Mawhati Assembly Constituency.
Post inquiry, the DEO has been asked to take strict action against the erring polling officials of the concerned polling station falling under 8-Mawhati AC as alleged. Penal action should also be initiated against the alleged voter who violated his secrecy of vote after ascertaining the necessary facts of the above case.