Mock Poll Video Attracts Suspension of Presiding Officer in Karimganj

The Polling Official assigned the role of Presiding Officer of the Nayadhar LP School has been suspended by the District Election Officer of Karinganj. This step was taken after a video of a polling agent went viral, who filmed himself casting 5 votes on the EVM machine. The presiding officer failed to stop the polling agent from carrying a mobile phone inside the polling station, which is seen as gross negligence and dereliction of duty on the part of the Officer. The polling process in the election is a matter of secrecy and filming the process violates the sanctity of the elections.

Mridul Yadav, the Returning Officer cum District Election Officer of Karimganj stated the suspension through an official order. The statement read, “As per Hand Book for Presiding Officer, 2023 of Section 4.1-Sub Section(x), No cellphone, smart watch, cordless phone etc. is allowed inside the polling station. Also mention in Checklist of Presiding Officer, (precaution during poll) at Point No.8 that it is the duty of the Presiding Officer to ensure that no voter brings mobile phone inside the booth.”

The official order further read “it is found that a video has been taken by the polling agent by mobile which is gross negligence and dereliction of duty on the part of Shri Nazrul Haque Tapadar, Librarian as Presiding Officer who failed to stop/check carrying of mobile phone inside the polling station” the order then clarifies that due to this, Shri Nazrul Haque Tapadar, Librarian has been placed under suspension from service with immediate effect under Rule 6(1)(A) of the Assam Service (discipline and appeal) Rules, 1964.

The offical order then informed that during the period of suspension, the Headquarter of Sri Nazrul Haque Tapadar, Librarian will be the same as his place of posting that is Karimganj.

The video that went viral, depicting the polling agent casting multiple votes, sparked an online debate. Although it was later revealed to be a mock poll, suspicions surrounding the incident remain fresh in the minds of many. Nevertheless, the use of mobile phones or any digital devices inside polling stations is prohibited by law, and it is the responsibility of the Presiding Officers to ensure that these rules are strictly adhered to.

In today’s date, it has been observed that during elections, there is a growing trend among young voters to record their voting process and share it on social media. Unfortunately, awareness of these rules prohibiting the use of mobile phones inside polling booths is lacking, and they are not being properly enforced in many polling stations either.