2,000 voters photo ID found from teacher's almirah

Dantewara, Nov 17 (UNI) Several hundreds electorates, lodged in 'Salwa Judum' relief camps in Kota assembly segment of Chhattisgarh, have been deprived from using their voting rights in the absence of voters photo identity cards.

About 2,000 voters photo identity cards were not distributed to electorates in Errabore relief camp in the region. Of the total 3,386 voters in Errabore camp, only 1,529 voters could exercise their franchise in the absence of photo identity cards.

A day after first phase of polling on November 14, some teachers asked villagers to break the almirah of a teacher and collect their voters identity cards but villagers declined.

On receiving information about the matter, the BJP broke the almirah, collected the identity cards and complained about the matter to district electoral officer Rajat Kumar.

Some teachers had been given the responsibility to distribute these voters photo identity cards.

Mr Kumar said inquiry was being held into the matter and action would be taken as per rules.

Likewise, several voters could not exercise their franchise in the absence of photo identity cards or defect in photo identity cards in relief camps in Konta, Bijapur and Dantewara assembly segment. The BJP has demanded repolling in relief camps.

There are about 6,800 electorates in seven camps in Konta.

Earlier, the Returning Officer had asked them to bring alternative photo identity cards in case of not having voters photo identity card.

However, the Election Commission issued an order on November 12 that voters lodged in relief camps in Dantewara and Bijapur districts could cast their vote only by using their voters photo identity card provided by the EC only.

The order was communicated by the DRO to relief camps by a special channel on November 13. Voting percentage was affected at several polling centres due to the decision take at last moment.

UNI XC-PS 1635