The second phase of Jharkhand’s assembly elections is underway, the process has been marred by allegations of electoral rigging and a controversial incident involving the removal of a burqa. The ECI acted prompt to respond to the complaint against the presiding officer and a heated controversy surrounded voter identification in Jharia. This event sparked questions about the integrity of the election in the state.
Presiding Officer Removed
In a critical decision, the Election Commission of India has canceled a presiding officer from conducting the election in the Madhupur assembly constituency because of allegations of serious electoral malpractices. The officer, posted at booth number 111, had been accused of attempting to influence the outcome of the vote in favor of one party. Following the allegations, an FIR was lodged against the officer, and a replacement was appointed so that the election process remained fair and merit-based.
“The Commission was serious about the complaint and acted promptly,” said Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP from Godda who had filed the complaint. “The officer was arrested after it was found that his actions were against the election rules.”
Deoghar administration has also confirmed the capture of the presiding officer very close to the voting compartment, a clear violation of the guideline issued by the Election Commission while webcasting the surveillance. His proximity with the voting area again raises an iota of doubt regarding the result of the election and who could manipulate the voters. Further investigation is likely to lead to legal action against the officer.
Burqa In Jharia Sparks Hot Debate
The second phase of voting in Jharkhand also witnessed a furor at a polling booth at Jharia in Dhanbad district, after an altercation erupted over the removal of a burqa for identification purposes. According to reports, poll personnel at booth number 178 asked women voters to remove their veils to verify their identities and this created an intense confrontation, with several women unwilling to oblige. She and the women reportedly tore up their voter slips and caused a scene at the booth in protest.
The situation became chaotic when the women’s family members entered the scene. Eventually, security forces were deployed to sort out the situation; in the process, the tensions did ease somewhat. Providing for identification of voters was part of the Election Commission’s plans. However, the whole incident speaks volumes about the handling of voter rights and respect for cultural practices.
Election Process Examined
These incidents, occurring in the context of high-stakes polls in Jharkhand, have thrown a limelight over the poll process and brought vulnerabilities in the system to the fore. With allegations of misconduct and a controversial clash over voting procedures, the Election Commission has been called upon to ensure that sharp measures are taken for the transparency and fairness of the election process.
With the second phase of voting underway, the effort now goes into ensuring that the process is authentic. “All complaints will be inquired into deeply and any and all irregularities will be taken action against,” said the Election Commission. Politicians and voters alike are watching how such matters are dealt with as Jharkhand moves into the final stages of its election.
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