Lalu Prasad Yadav alleges poll officials intimidated voters, writes to Election Commission

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, on Friday, lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that poll officials forced his party voters to stay away or vote for other parties in Gaya Lok Sabha constituency which witnessed polls on Thursday.

Prasad also submitted CDs of the alleged incident in support of his allegations.

The former Bihar chief minister in his complaint alleged, "administration, apparently under the guidance of the Presiding Officer, hurled abuses and threatened our voters, predominantly women, to cast their votes on lotus (BJP) and arrow (JDU) symbols at polling station number 180 under Belaganj Assembly segment of Gaya Lok Sabha constituency".

"I have submitted a letter and a corroborating CD to Bihar Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ajay V Nayak and demanded stern action against the persons involved in the incident," Prasad told reporters.

"Our voters were beaten up. That particular Presiding Officer shown in the video should be dismissed. Repoll should be ordered at that polling station," he suggested.

Incidentally, the CD, which was displayed in front of media persons at RJD's state headquarters today, showed firing by unidentified persons to shoo away the voters.
Gaya, along with five other constituencies Aurangabad, Sasaram, Karakat, Jamui and Nawada went to polls on Thursday.

"This kind of behaviour by polling officials will be inimical to smooth polling. It will lead to change in the present peaceful situation. If anybody abuses our 'bahu-beti' (women folk), the voters of Bihar will not keep quiet," Prasad said.