Four poll officials among six held for influencing voters

Six persons, including four polling officials, were arrested for allegedly influencing voting at a booth in Jalubari Assembly segment under Gauhati Lok Sabha constituency on April 24.

Presiding officer in polling station No 35 at Bornijora LP School, Paresh Hajarika and polling officials, Rakhal Chandra Choudhury, Abhoy Nath Bez Barua and Rupam Malakar were arrested with VDP volunteer Bimal Boro and videographer Vidyut Saikia for allegedly influencing casting of votes, a release from the additional CEO's office said.

A police case was filed against these six at the Baihata PS after a local news channel today telecast footage of the polling station on April 24 showing aperson wearing a VDP (Village Defence Party) identity card repeatedly pressing the EVM button for voters or asking them to "vote here" for a particular candidate.

The video also showed that neither the polling officials nor polling agents of other contestants were seen protesting the VDP volunteer's moves.

The ECI ordered a re-poll at the polling station on April 28, the release said.