Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Roy Kharkongor has ordered for an enquiry and disciplinary action against the polling officials of 35-Shiliang Umdoh Polling Station under Mawhati Assembly constituency where a voter took photo of himself pressing a ballot button in favour of a candidate.
In a letter to the District Election Officer of Ri-Bhoi district, Kharkongor said that it has come to his notice that apparently, there is a viral image circulating in the social media, with a photograph allegedly depicting a voter pressing the ballot button, in favour of a particular candidate in the ballot unit, which tantamount to violation of secrecy of voting, despite strict instructions issued to ensure that that voters at polling stations should not be allowed to carry mobile phones, inside the voting compartment.
“It appears that by and large the above instructions have been duly complied with by the voters across the State, which also demonstrates healthy citizenship values by the citizens and also necessary compliance by the polling officials in their concerned polling stations,” Kharkongor said.
In connection with the apparent violation, “which appears to be an aberration”, Kharkongor directed the District Election Officer to initiate immediate inquiry, with a view to ascertain the facts of the above alleged violation, which reportedly occurred in 35-Shiliang Umdoh Polling Station under Mawhati Assembly constituency.
“Post inquiry, strict action is to be taken, against the erring polling officials of the concerned polling station falling under 8-Mawhati AC as alleged. Penal action should also be initiated against the alleged voter who violated his secrecy of vote after ascertaining the necessary facts of the above case,” Kharkongor stated in the letter.
The Chief Electoral Officer also directed the District Election Officer to submit an action taken report to his office “without fail” not later than March 3.
