Guwahati: A probe into the alleged breach of voting confidentiality at the 35-Shiliang Umdoh Polling Station under the 8-Mawhati Assembly Constituency in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district has been ordered by the state’s chief electoral officer (CEO).
District Election Officer Nongpoh was instructed by CEO FR Kharkongor to submit the action report by March 3 (Friday).
This action follows the claimed viral image in which a voter is believed to have snapped a photo of pressing the vote button in favour of a certain candidate, in breach of the rule that mobile phones are not permitted within the voting compartment.
A letter from the CEO to the Nongpoh District Election Officer said, “It has come to the notice of the undersigned, that apparently, there is a viral image circulating in social media, with 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 the 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 further read.
The CEO further directed that “after confirming the required facts of the aforementioned issue,” strict action be taken against the responsible polling officials of the polling station as well as the putative voter who broke his vote privacy.
“Action taken report is to be furnished to the office of the undersigned without fail not later than 3rd March, 2023,” the letter read.
On February 27, more over 75% of Meghalaya’s 21.6 lakh voters cast ballots. Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya’s Assembly elections’ ballots will all be counted on March 2.