EC Rubbishes WhatsApp Audio On 'Non-Activation Of Ballot Unit' In Bengaluru

The District Election Officer also confirmed that no such case of ballot button non-activation was reported from the polling station in question.

A voter gets his finger marked with indelible ink during voting for the 2nd phase of Lok Sabha elections, ( Image Source :PTI )

The Election Commission dismissed reports alleging non-activation of a ballot unit by a polling official in a polling booth in Shantinagar, Bengaluru as "incorrect and baseless". The District Election Officer also confirmed the same and said that no such case of non-activation of ballot button has been reported from the said polling station. 

Taking to X, Spokesperson ECI said, "Reports of alleged non-activation of a ballot unit by a polling official in a polling booth in Shantinagar in Bengaluru, circulating on social media & WhatsApp as an audio message are incorrect & baseless.  The correct position has been outlined below by DEO, after due enquiry."

Reports of alleged non-activation of a ballot unit by a polling official in a polling booth in Shantinagar in Bengaluru, circulating on social media & WhatsApp as an audio message are incorrect & baseless. The correct position has been outlined below by DEO, after due enquiry : https://t.co/knZHlh6YZd

— Spokesperson ECI (@SpokespersonECI) April 27, 2024

 

Upon receipt of complaint, District Election Officer, Bengaluru said, "The Assistant Returning Officer, 163- Shantinagar Assembly, has directed the Sector Magistrate to immediately reach the polling station and report the issue."

"It was found that the total entries in register 17A and the Control Unit perfectly tallied, indicating that no such case of non-activation of BALLOT button has been reported from the said polling station. The same has been confirmed by the Assistant Returning Officer concerned. Hence, the narration in the said audio recording is far from truth, baseless," he said.

On Friday, polling was conducted in 14 parliamentary constituencies of Karnataka as part of the second phase of Lok Sabha elections. The remaining seats are scheduled to go to polls on May 7. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4.