Hindustan Times : May 13, 2019, 01:33 PM
A polling agent in Haryana’s Faridabad was arrested after a video of him allegedly trying to influence voters went viral on social media. Faridabad voted in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 12.Election commissioner Ashok Lavasa confirmed that the polling agent was arrested on Sunday afternoon and a report on the issue will be examined by the Election Commission.
In the video, the polling agent, wearing a blue T-shirt, can be seen walking up to the polling booth as a woman prepares to cast her vote. He appears to press a button on the EVM or pointing to a party symbol and then promptly returns to his seat. The man repeats the act with two other women voters. Several people tagged the Election Commission seeking action after the video went viral.
“DEO Faridabad reported that the observer, Sanjay Kumar investigated the entire matter. The person in the video is the Polling agent who has been arrested in the afternoon itself. FIR is lodged,” Lavasa said.
Ashok Lavasa said after receiving the full report action will be taken against those found wanting in their duty. He added that the scrutiny of this polling station will be comprehensive.
The district election office in Faridabad said voting was not compromised. “Prompt action taken. FIR lodged. Person behind bars. Observer enquired the matter personally and is satisfied that polling was never vitiated,” DEO Faridabad tweeted.
The voter turnout was 64.48% in Faridabad. Union minister Krishan Pal Gurjar is contesting against Congress’s Avtar Singh Bhadana and INLD’s Mahender Chauhan in this seat.
All 10 seats in Haryana went to polls on May 12. Results will be declared on May 23.
In the video, the polling agent, wearing a blue T-shirt, can be seen walking up to the polling booth as a woman prepares to cast her vote. He appears to press a button on the EVM or pointing to a party symbol and then promptly returns to his seat. The man repeats the act with two other women voters. Several people tagged the Election Commission seeking action after the video went viral.
“DEO Faridabad reported that the observer, Sanjay Kumar investigated the entire matter. The person in the video is the Polling agent who has been arrested in the afternoon itself. FIR is lodged,” Lavasa said.
Ashok Lavasa said after receiving the full report action will be taken against those found wanting in their duty. He added that the scrutiny of this polling station will be comprehensive.
The district election office in Faridabad said voting was not compromised. “Prompt action taken. FIR lodged. Person behind bars. Observer enquired the matter personally and is satisfied that polling was never vitiated,” DEO Faridabad tweeted.
The voter turnout was 64.48% in Faridabad. Union minister Krishan Pal Gurjar is contesting against Congress’s Avtar Singh Bhadana and INLD’s Mahender Chauhan in this seat.
All 10 seats in Haryana went to polls on May 12. Results will be declared on May 23.
