New Delhi: The Chief Electoral Officer of Meghalaya FR Kharkongor on Wednesday directed the officials to order an inquiry after a viral image emerged indicating an alleged violation of the secrecy of voting that occurred at the Mawhati Assembly Constituency in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district during the Assembly elections on February 27.
According to the CEO, the incident occurred at 35-Shiliang Umdoh Polling Station under 8-Mawhati Assembly Constituency.
The CEO in its letter to the Nongpoh District Election Officer said, "there is a viral image circulating in the social media, which a photograph allegedly depicting a voter pressing the ballot button, in favour of a particular candidate in the ballot unit, which tantamounts to violation of secrecy of voting, despite strict instructions issued to ensure that voters at polling stations should not be allowed to carry mobile phones, inside the voting compartment."
"In connection with the apparent violation above, which appears to be an aberration, and in your capacity as District Election Officer, Ri-Bhoi District, where the above aberration appeared to have been committed, you are hereby directed to cause immediate inquiry, with a view to ascertain the facts of the above-alleged violation, which reportedly occurred in 35-Shiliang Umdoh Polling Station under 8-Mawhati Assembly Constituency," the letter read.
The CEO also instructed to take strict action against the erring polling officials of the concerned polling station falling under 8-Mawhati and also initiate penal action against the alleged voter who violated his secrecy of vote "after ascertaining the necessary facts of the above case".
The CEO also directed the District Election Officer to submit the action report by March 3.
"Action taken report is to be furnished to the office of the undersigned without fail not later than 3rd March, 2023," he said.
Counting of votes for the Meghalaya Assembly polls will be done on Thursday along with Tripura and Nagaland.
(With agency inputs)