Karimganj's District Election Commissioner Issues Statement, "Viral Video Filmed During Mock Polls"

A viral video depicting a polling agent allegedly casting five votes in favor of the BJP on an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) inside a polling station has stirred controversy, with the District Election Officer of Karimganj clarifying it as a “mock poll.” The widely circulated footage has drawn scrutiny towards the conduct of the polling officials on duty. The incident occurred at Polling Station No. 11, 240 NO. NAYADHAR L.P. School in Patharkandi. Despite being designated as a mock poll, the act of filming the process has raised concerns regarding the secrecy of the electoral process, prompting the Election Officer to issue a show cause notice to the involved polling officials.

The polling agent captured in the viral video has been identified as Abdul Sahid, representing an independent candidate, Abdul Hameed. Following the incident, the Presiding Officer, Nazrul Haque Tapadar, and the polling team assigned to Nayadhar LP School were summoned by the District Election Officer to provide their statements. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the video was recorded during the routine mock poll conducted prior to the official elections, as part of standard procedure to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. EVMs are reset to zero before the commencement of actual polling.

According to the statement issued by the District Election Officer, polling agents are permitted to cast a limited number of test votes during the mock poll to verify the functionality of the EVMs. However, questions arise as to why the polling agent of an independent candidate allegedly voted for the BJP. The statement further elaborated, “Upon receiving this complaint, the matter was addressed during scrutiny in the presence of the General Observer, Candidates, and Election Agents at 11 AM on April 27th. The polling team was interrogated, and according to the statement provided by the Presiding Officer, Shri Nazrul Haque Tapadar, Librarian (Taltala High School), the video in question was recorded during the mock poll and subsequently, a Close Result Clear (CRC) was conducted before the start of actual polling. This account is also supported by statements from individuals featured in the shared video.”

Statements from polling agents representing other parties are pending verification. When contacted by Barak Bulletin, Independent Candidate Abdul Hameed, whose polling agent filmed the EVM, attributed the incident to the negligence of polling officials who allegedly left the EVMs unattended during breakfast hours. Hameed stated, “Abdul Sahid informed me that the video was recorded for amusement before the start of the election at approximately 6:30 AM.”