GUWAHATI: An FIR has been filed, and a magisterial inquiry launched against three polling personnel in Assam's Tinsukia district for allegedly issuing additional ballot papers during home voting.
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Tinsukia District Commissioner Swapneel Paul said the accused personnel were tasked with overseeing home voting via postal ballots in the Doomdoma assembly segment under the Lakhimpur Lok Sabha constituency, on Saturday.
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A team comprising three polling personnel, accompanied by a videographer and two police officers, was dispatched for this purpose in the morning, a press release issued by him said..
By evening, the polling team reported that they had successfully conducted the polling process for 14 eligible voters as per the list.
"However, upon submission of the cast postal ballots along with the booklet containing counterfoils and unused postal ballot papers, it was discovered that 16 counterfoils had been utilized for the 14 voters," the release stated.
When questioned about the discrepancy, the three polling personnel explained that family members of an 88-year-old voter had raised objections to the polling procedure and requested an additional ballot paper for him.
Likewise, family members of another 86-year-old voter in the vicinity also demanded the same, recounted the official.
Succumbing to public pressure and fearing for their safety, the polling personnel issued extra postal ballot papers to both individuals, the statement explained.
"In light of the serious breach of duty, as issuing postal ballots twice to a single voter constitutes gross negligence and may amount to corrupt practice, an FIR was lodged against the personnel on Saturday," it was asserted.
A magisterial inquiry, led by Lakhimpur Lok Sabha constituency Assistant Returning Officer Jabed Arman, has been initiated, while the implicated polling personnel have been relieved from all election duties with immediate effect.
Besides, the release stated, the departments from which the polling personnel were deployed have been notified and instructed to commence departmental proceedings.
Lakhimpur is scheduled to vote in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, on April 19.
