Kamal Nath’s act amounts to ‘influencing’ voters and thus violates the model code of conduct, the BJP said in its petition to the Commission.
The BJP has petitioned Election Commission to take action against Congress state president of Madhya Pradesh Kamal Nath for ‘influencing’ voters while casting his ballot during the assembly polls.
In its complaint letter to the Commission, the BJP said that Nath, before casting his ballot in a polling booth at Chhindwara, showed his palm, Congress’ election symbol, thus trying to influence the voters.
Kamal Nath’s act amounts to ‘influencing’ voters and thus violates the model code of conduct, the BJP said in its petition to the Commission.
Rebutting BJP’s charges, Kamal Nath said he had already cast his vote and showed his palm only when the media asked him whom he voted for.
“I showed this (palm). What else could have I done? Show a lotus? What else could have I done? Show a lotus?” he said.
State Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao said they have sought a report from Chhindwara district returning officer regarding BJP’s complaint against Nath and would take appropriate action in case of an adverse report.
In another complaint to the Election Commission, the BJP said the polling personnel faced a lot of hardship in opening EVMs resulting in delayed start of the voting process at several places.
The EVMs malfunctioned one after another in multiple booths and due to unavailability of their replacements, the polling process was affected by three to four hours, said the BJP.
Due to this, many voters returned home without casting their ballots, the BJP said.
Re-Poll Sought
BJP has demanded re-polling in booths where “the voting was hampered for a long time due to EVM malfunctioning”. The Congress too has lodged a similar complaint with EC.
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 "Kamal Nath")
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