Camera Catches Poll Agents Casting Votes in AP
In an incidence quite shocking to the democratic fabric of the country, Polling agents in two election booths in Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district were caught on camera while casting votes with the voters. Moreover, a polling official was seen even urging a voter to cast his vote in favour of the ruling Congress party, said poll officials.
According to Chief Electoral Officer of the state IV Subba Rao, the agents of different parties went to voting compartments with the voters and cast the votes; some polling officials may also be involved.
The misdemeanour, however, were nabbed by closed circuit television cameras installed in the booths. Obviously, they were not aware that the cameras were installed there.
The shameful incidents occurred in two polling centres in Kondukur assembly segment in Prakasam district during the second phase of elections to Lok Sabha and state assembly on Thursday.
The District Magistrate had instruted polict to book criminal cases against guilty and arrest them.
Re-polling in 6o Centres
The Election commission has ordered re-poll in 60 booths in Andhra Pradesh due to irregularities including damage to the electronic voting machines or technical problems during the second and final phase of polling to Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly Thursday
Re-polling will be held in 21 booths in Kadapa, the native district of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, where several incidents of violence and alleged electoral malpractices were reported.
Re-poll will be held in 13 booths in Anantapur and eight in Kurnool. These three districts come under Rayalaseema region, notorious for political violence.
In Prakasam district, where two people were killed and several injured during the election-related violence, re-poll will be held in nine booths.
Re-poll is likely in two more booths in this district in south coastal Andhra as the state election authorities are expecting a decision from the Election Commission.
