The Election Commission has taken swift action following the emergence of a viral video on social media allegedly depicting a voter casting multiple votes in favor of a BJP candidate at a polling booth in the state.
In the two-minute-long footage, which has sparked widespread concern, a young man is seen purportedly voting for BJP candidate Mukesh Rajput on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at least 8 times.
Both the Congress and Samajwadi Party have raised alarm over the video, calling on the Election Commission to intervene.
"Dear Election Commission, do you see this? One person is voting 8 times. It's time to wake up," expressed Congress in a statement shared on social media.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav echoed the sentiment, urging action from the Election Commission. "If the Election Commission feels that this is wrong, they should certainly take some action, otherwise... BJP's booth committee is actually a loot committee," Yadav stated.
UP CEO takes action
Responding to the outcry, an FIR was lodged at the Naya Gaon police station in Etah district, prompted by a complaint filed by ARO Prateet Tripathi.
UP Chief Election Officer Navdeep Rinwa confirmed the developments, stating that necessary measures have been taken.
“FIR of the incident has been registered under sections 171-F & 419 of IPC, sections 128, 132 & 136 of RP Act 951 in Nayagaon police station in Etah district. The person appearing to be voting miltiple times in the video has been identified as Rajan Singh s/o Anil Singh, resident of village Khiriya Pamaran and has been arrested by the police”, he said on X.
"The person appearing to be voting multiple times in the video has been identified as Rajan Singh s/o Anil Singh, resident of village Khiriya Pamaran, and has been arrested by the police," Rinwa disclosed.
He further outlined the actions taken, including the suspension and initiation of disciplinary proceedings against all members of the polling party involved. Additionally, a recommendation for a repoll has been made to the Election Commission of India in the concerned polling station. Moreover, strict instructions have been issued to all District Election Officers to meticulously follow procedures regarding voter identification in the remaining phases of the Uttar Pradesh elections to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
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