1 hr ago
Rejinagar Congress Seeks Fresh Poll, Halt to Vote Count
The Congress party says the Rejinagar election was not fair.
It asked the Election Commission to stop counting the votes and hold the election again.
Congress says some people could not vote and that BJP candidate Sakharav Sarkar went into a restricted area at a polling station.
The party showed a video, but The Telegraph said it had not checked whether the video was genuine.
Congress candidate Abdullahil Kafi said officials did not act on the party’s complaints.
Sarkar says he went to the polling station because people reported a problem with the voting machine.
He says he did not vote or touch the machine.
The bypoll results were due on Friday.
The Murshidabad district Congress Committee asked Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to stop the Rejinagar bypoll count and order a fresh poll.
The Congress alleged that voters were denied their voting rights and that BJP candidate Sakharav Sarkar entered a restricted voting compartment.
The party released purported footage of Sarkar at a polling station; The Telegraph said it had not independently verified the footage.
Congress candidate Abdullahil Kafi said complaints to election officials on polling day had not led to action.
Sarkar denied wrongdoing, saying he entered after reports of EVM malfunction, did not vote or touch the machine, and accusing Congress of making false allegations.
- Who
- The Murshidabad district Congress Committee, Congress candidate Abdullahil Kafi, BJP candidate Sakharav Sarkar, and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- Congress called for the Rejinagar bypoll count to be halted and for a fresh poll, alleging irregularities; Sarkar denied the accusations.
- Where
- Rejinagar, Murshidabad district, West Bengal, including the 12-Majlishpur Rural Library polling station.
- When
- The appeal was made on Thursday, before results were due on Friday; the bypoll was held on October 6.
- Why
- Congress alleged voters were prevented from voting and Sarkar entered a restricted voting area; Sarkar said he went in after complaints of EVM malfunction.
Congress allegations
Sarkar's response
Entry into voting area
Congress allegations
Congress alleged that Sarkar, who was not a voter in Rejinagar, entered the restricted area behind the curtain where the EVM was kept.
Sarkar's response
Sarkar said he entered after complaints of EVM malfunction and did not touch the machine or cast a vote.
Fairness of the bypoll
Congress allegations
Congress alleged that voters were prevented from voting and that the BJP, some police personnel, and RSS workers influenced the process; it said its complaints received no action.
Sarkar's response
Sarkar rejected the allegations and said Congress was making false claims because it was facing defeat.
Key facts
- Election
- Rejinagar Assembly bypoll
- Polling date
- October 6
- Expected result date
- Friday
- Congress candidate
- Abdullahil Kafi
- BJP candidate
- Sakharav Sarkar
- Polling station cited
- 12-Majlishpur Rural Library
- Congress request
- Halt vote counting and order a fresh poll
- Video status
- Congress released purported footage; The Telegraph said it had not independently verified it.
Quotes
Abdullahil Kafi
Rejinagar candidate and Murshidabad district Congress president
“The ruling party candidate (the BJP's Sarkar) is an outsider with no voting rights in Rejinagar. Nevertheless, he was seen entering the place where the EVM was kept.”
telegraphindia.com
“This poll should be cancelled and Friday's counting should also be cancelled.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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