UP Youth Casts 8 Illegal Votes for BJP, Election Officer Demands Re-poll

On Sunday, May 19th, the arrest of the son of a village headman, allegedly linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), sparked controversy in Uttar Pradesh’s Farrukhabad Lok Sabha constituency. The arrest followed the emergence of a viral video depicting him purportedly casting eight votes for the BJP candidate. This incident prompted Uttar Pradesh’s chief election officer, Navdeep Rinwa, to recommend a re-poll at the affected voting station. Additionally, Rinwa ordered the suspension and initiation of disciplinary action against all members of the polling team involved. Farrukhabad had participated in the third phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha election on May 13th.

Youth Caught Casting Multiple Illegal Votes for BJP: FIR Filed

Image source: The Economic Times 

Rinwa’s decision stemmed from reviewing a video showing a youth, under 18 years old, allegedly casting multiple votes for the BJP candidate, Mukesh Rajput, using an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). The video, which went viral on social media, depicted the youth pressing the EVM eight times and proudly tallying each vote. Consequently, an FIR was filed at Nayagaon police station in Etah district, citing relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Voting Fraud Incident in Aliganj, Etah District of Farrukhabad Lok Sabha Constituency

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The Farrukhabad Lok Sabha constituency consists of four assembly segments within Farrukhabad district and one assembly seat, Aliganj, in Etah district. The incident occurred in Khiriya Pamaran village, situated within the Aliganj area of Etah. This area is part of the broader electoral landscape, where voting irregularities were reported, drawing significant attention and scrutiny from electoral authorities and the public alike.

Earlier in the day, Naval Kishor Shakya, the Samajwadi Party’s candidate in Farrukhabad, lodged a complaint with the district election officers of Etah and Farrukhabad, highlighting the alleged “fake voting” incident at booth number 343 in Gram Khiriya Pamaran. Shakya accused the minor son of the influential village headman of engaging in “fake voting” and disseminating it on social media. He further alleged that the on-duty police officer, Dinesh Thakur, was complicit in the scheme. Shakya demanded a re-poll at the booth and called for re-polls at two additional booths, 349 (Nagla Bhaggu) and 359 (Mangadpur), citing interference that obstructed fair voting. He specifically mentioned that voters from his community, the Shakya, were disenfranchised at booth 349.

The exact legitimacy of the votes cast by the accused youth remains unclear. However, the UP CEO, in confirming the minor’s arrest, emphasized the appearance of multiple voting in the video.

Political Leaders Condemn Election Commission and BJP Over Voting Fraud Incident

Image source: Times of India

The incident drew widespread condemnation, with political figures like SP president Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticizing the Election Commission’s handling of the situation. Yadav mocked the Election Commission’s response, implying inaction unless wrongdoing was acknowledged. He also criticized the BJP, labeling their booth committee as a “loot committee.” Similarly, Gandhi accused the BJP of attempting to subvert democracy to evade defeat, cautioning election duty officers against succumbing to government pressure.

The SP accused the Election Commission of favoring the BJP and suggested that the Aliganj incident was just one instance among many undisclosed incidents. The Congress also censured the ECI for its perceived inaction, underscoring the gravity of allowing a minor to cast multiple votes.

In response, Rinwa stressed the importance of strict adherence to voter identification procedures. He directed all district election officers in UP to ensure compliance for the remaining phases of voting. Notably, the BJP had won Farrukhabad in both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. With three phases of voting remaining for 41 seats in UP, the incident has raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.