SHILLONG, March 1: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) FR Kharkongor on Wednesday directed action against individuals who allegedly violated the secrecy of voting during polling on Monday.
Taking strong note of a viral picture of a voter pressing the ballot button in favour of a particular candidate in Shiliang-Umdoh polling station in Ri-Bhoi despite instructions issued to prevent taking mobile phones inside the stations, the CEO, in a letter to the District Election Officer, said the incident is tantamount to violation of voting secrecy.
The CEO has directed the District Election Officer of Ri-Bhoi to cause an inquiry to ascertain the facts in connection with the case which transpired in the polling station under Mawhati Constituency. Post inquiry, strict action is to be taken against the erring polling officials of the concerned polling station, Kharkongor said in the letter.
“Penal action should also be initiated against the alleged voter who violated his secrecy of vote after ascertaining the necessary facts of the case,” the CEO said.
The District Election Officer has been asked to furnish the action taken report before the CEO by March 3.
In a similar incident, the Returning Officer of Mairang constituency has lodged an FIR with Mairang Police Station alleging that a voter from Pyndengumiong Donggate Male had taken a video of the balloting unit where he blatantly discloses his vote choice and circulated the same on social media, which is a gross violation of the Conduct of Election Rules 1961.
According to the CEO, along with competent and active presiding officers and polling officers in most polling stations, arrangements for mobile collection was also arranged.
“Many right thinking voters complied and respected the laid down protocols but there will always be a category of people who take great pride in demonstrating disrespectful behaviour and delight in violating the laws to exhibit a sense of immature delight and childish pleasure through their disrespectful behavior,” he said. Images were also shared with media through web casting where presiding officers and police ensured that mobile phones of voters were collected prior to them going to cast his/her vote in the voting compartments to prevent the violation of secrecy of vote.
“Voters also by and large cooperated with the regulations aberrations will however always be there,” he said.
