CEO warns people against bogus voting

Bangalore, May 9 (UNI) Karnataka State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) M N Vidhyashankar today strongly warned people against indulging in bogus voting during the ensuing elections in the state.

Talking to newspersons here, he said any attempt to cast votes through impersonation would attract criminal charges under Section 171-D of IPC. ''For the first time video and digital cameras have been installed in polling booths and strict vigil would be maintained by the officials and police,'' he added.

He said so far as many as 1,828 criminal complaints relating to violation of model code of conduct have been registered against different political parties and workers. Since last night, the state police have registered over 39 criminal cases and seized crores of rupees worth poll materials, liquor, sarees and other consumer goods allegedly stocked for distribution to voters, he added.

Mr Vidhyashankar said state election authorities so far have also seized Rs 21.4 crore. ''As many as 880 cases among the total 1,828 criminal complaints are related to seizure of liquor,'' he said.

Replying to questions, he said the EC has received several complaints expressing apprehension over booth capturing, rigging and bogus voting. To thwart irregularities in the polling stations, the entire process of casting of votes would be videotaped, he said.

The Yelahanka police in the outskirts of the city have seized huge quantity of liquor allegedly kept in a godown illegally. The Tumkur police have also received a complaint alleging that people were brought to the city from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and lodged in a marriage hall in Pavagada to create trouble during polling. In swift action, the police got it vacated.

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