BackEC takes action on complaint over ‘violation of secrecy’ in Faridabad
In a video that was circulated on social media, a person inside a Faridabad polling station was allegedly found intervening in the voting processEC says fresh polling will take place on that particular polling station on 19 May
PremiumThe Election Commission (EC) on Monday took strong cognisance over a complaint of ‘violation of secrecy’ in a polling booth in Faridabad parliamentary constituency in Haryana and found it to be true.
In a video that was circulated on social media on Sunday, a person inside a polling station was allegedly found intervening in the voting process.
The EC had received a complaint of violation of secrecy of voting in polling station number 88 in Asaoti of Prithla assembly constituency segment of Faridabad parliamentary constituency.
The EC said on Monday evening that fresh polling will take place on that particular polling station on 19 May which coincides with the seventh phase of polling for Lok Sabha elections.
An FIR (first information report) has been registered against the polling agent Giriraj Singh under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Representation of People’s Act (RPA).
The poll watchdog has also taken strict action against the officials involved with polling in that booth.
“The presiding officer Amit Atri has been placed under suspension for the dereliction of duty and criminal action is also being initiated against the presiding officer. The Micro observer Sonal Gulati has not reported the incident correctly for which the commission has barred her from any election related work for three years," the EC said in a communication.
“Taking a serious note of failure to take immediate action on the incident, the Returning Officer 10. Faridabad PC has been transferred out from present posting and Commission has directed the state government to send a panel of three suitable officers immediately for the replacement of Returning Officer Faridabad," the EC added.
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