booth capturing | SabrangIndia

925 Complaints of Booth capturing in Elections 2024

sabrang — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 08:52:17 +0000

As many as 925 complaints of booth capturing were made during the recent parliamentary and assembly polls, with a maximum 875 complaints received from West Bengal.

Citing Data in Parliament in relation to the unstarred question asked by Shive Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on the booth capturing complaints received by the Election Commission in the last five year, the number of people arrested, and action taken by ECI with regards to such complaints, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated that 14 people arrested who were part of the Booth Capturing. Sharing details in a written reply, he said one complaint was received from Arunachal, 2 from Odisha where simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha and assembly were held.

Minister said that that Chief Electoral Officer, Arunachal Pradesh was instructed to take fresh poll and was further instructed to direct the concerned Returning Officer to initiate swift action/investigation in the case. A case has been registered at Khenwwa Police Station, East Kameng District. The case is under investigation. One person is still under judicial custody.

In relation to Bihar, it was cited that all complaints were found false on verification and were disposed off. In Odisha 12 persons were apprehended and served notice under Section 41 of Criminal Procedure Code. However, a re-poll at two polling stations i.e. 26-Kirasiraand and 28-Maheswarpinda under the 85-Kantamal Assembly Constituency had been successfully conducted

Interestingly, in relation to the 875 complaints registered highest in West Bengal, Union Law Minister noted in parliament that no cases were substantiated against those complaints and were disposed of as per the report of the concerned District Electoral Officer, Superintendent of Police/Commissioner of Police.

Vote for Democracy, Maharashtra also in its report highlighted the Parliamentary Constituencies where booth capturing took place but no affirmative action has been taken by the Election Commission of India till date.

The Answer of the Minister can be read here:

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Bihar: RJD’s petition booth capturing and rigging at Munger dismissed by SC

sabrang — Fri, 31 May 2024 13:24:08 +0000

A vacation bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices S. C. Sharma and P. B. Varale has responded to a petition by RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) for re-polling at Bihar’s Munger constituency. The apex court has directed the petitioners to approach the high court for their grievance. RJD’s Kumari Anita had filed the petition after several complaints to district officials bore no fruit.

The bench remarked, “Why don’t you go to the high court? The high courts are not closed in this country.” The Supreme Court declined to hear a petition filed by a RJD candidate seeking re-polling at more than 40 booths in the Munger Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar. The justices told the candidate to take her case to the Patna High Court instead.

The petition had sought redressal on allegations of booth capturing and election rigging in the Munger constituency of Bihar. The petitioner claims that members of the ruling Janata Dal (United) party, with the assistance of government officials took part in these activities. As per a report in the Live Law, the petition asked for polling in Lakhisarai, Mokana, and Suryagarha in Munger to be conducted again.

According to the petitioner, many such complaints were lodged with various authorities, including the Election Commission of India’s observers and the District Election Officer, Avnish Kumar Singh, but these efforts received no response. Furthermore, the petitioner alleges that she was physically assaulted by officials and JDU supporters when she attempted to protest the alleged booth capturing. The petition also asked for Avnish Kumar Singh to be removed from his duties. Kumari has also claimed earlier that people from backward castes were not allowed to vote, as per a report in Bar and Bench.

JDU is part of the ruling alliance in the state. Bihar’s Munger saw 55 % voting. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Munger had seen a similar allegation of tampering with votes. The then Bihar government had dismissed a zonal magistrate on charges of bogus voting and booth capturing in Lakhisarai.

In the 2024, 18th Lok Sabha elections accusations of bogus voting and poll booth capturing have come from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, and Tripura. Reports of Muslims being prevented from voting has also come from Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

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Phase I voting for General Elections 2024: Marred by Firing, “booth capturing,” crude bomb “found” in BJP leaders house, complaints of undue pressure

sabrang — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:04:51 +0000

On April 19, the first phase of the 18^th Lok Sabha Polls got underway with voting in 102 seats of the total 543 taking place across 21 Indian states. The ECI data on voter turnout across various states by 3 pm is varied with the eastern Indian states of Tripura leading with 68.35%, followed by West Bengal and Manipur with high percentages at 66.43 and 62.58 respectively. The state of Assam also witnessed a substantial turnout at 60.70%, while Bihar recorded the lowest at 39.73%. Voter turnout at Maharashtra was at only 44.12% until 3 p.m. today.

Disturbing videos of “booth capturing”, followed by “rigging,” intimidation and malpractices also marred the first polling day. Even news of some violence and gun firing were reported. Until the time of filing of this report the ECI’s social media handle had not responded to any concerns nor has any statement been issued.

Details:

Manipur:

Polling is being held for Manipur’s Inner Manipur Lok Sabha constituency and 15 assembly segments of the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency The remaining 13 assembly segments of the Outer Manipur (in the hills) constituency will vote on April 26.

Incidents of firing by unidentified groups, strong contestations from ordinary voters including women, and even destruction of EVMs and scattering of ballot papers were shared and seen from several some stations in Manipur during the first day of polling in the state. Videos showing armed men running near the booth while the police stood silently also went viral on social media. In the said video, women could be seen pleasing to the police officers as chaos ensued.

Incidents of booth capturing and violence emerge from Inner Manipur constituency that goes to poll today.
Video below shows armed men walking near a polling booth as police look on, women appear to be pleading police to take action. pic.twitter.com/2Ooo2szO6M

— Vijaita Singh (@vijaita) April 19, 2024

Additionally, vandalism inside a polling station has also been reported under the Thongju Assembly seat of Imphal East district. As per a report of India Today NE, polling in the state had to be halted at 5 Thongju and 31 Khongman Zone in Imphal as a result of the uproar caused by several women, who alleged that malpractices and booth capturing was taking place at polling booths. As reported by Imphal East DC, the polling officer then decided to shut the polling booth in view of the accusations being levelled.

#Manipur: A state of commotion erupted at the Eroisemba polling booth after Arambai Tenggol allegedly threatened that there could be no Congress agent at the polling booth.#ManipurViolence #loksabhaelection2024 #Elections2024 #manipurelections pic.twitter.com/o2JCDMFCSy

— India Today NE (@IndiaTodayNE) April 19, 2024

#ManipurSabhaElections2024:Polling was halted at 5 Thongju and 31 Khongman Zone in #Imphal, #Manipur after several women alleged malpractices and caused a ruckus.#LokSabhaElections2024 https://t.co/09LdLTmd7W

— India Today NE (@IndiaTodayNE) April 19, 2024

There are also unconfirmed reports from the state of people getting injured in these incidents. As per a report of the Times of India, armed men reportedly fired several rounds of gun shots at a polling station in Thamanpokpi, located within the Moirang assembly segment.

Inner Manipur Constituency

This is what has happened at the polling booth in Moirangkampu Sajeb in #Manipur. Miscreants came and opened firing. One 65 year old man injured and now hospitalised. All election papers burnt down. One evm machine destroyed and set ablaze. Locals say… pic.twitter.com/mpUKEYeCCm

— Tamal Saha (@Tamal0401) April 19, 2024

Another video showing an Indian National Congress candidate confronting the police and questioning them regarding the commotion that took place outside the polling booth also emerged on social media.

In another bit of news, a state of commotion erupted at the Eroisemba polling booth after Arambai Tenggol allegedly threatened that there could be no Congress agent at the polling booth.

According to the reports of Hindustan Times and The Impress Press, in Uripok and Iroishemba in Imphal West district, armed individuals forced party agents to vacate the premises and threatened the voters to vote for one party. Incensed with the intimidation, the voters at some polling stations damaged the EVMs and other election-related materials.

West Bengal:

Reports of violence also emerged from West Bengal as Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri seats went to polls in Phase 1 of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. Early morning Friday, India Today television reported bombs being found in the home of a BJP leader in the state’s Cooch Behar district leading to allegations and counter allegations.

Bomb recovered from BJP leaders house on #ElectionDay in West Bengal.

BJP wants to burn this country just for some votes.

Share this video with everyone who is going out to vote today. #LokSabhaElection2024 pic.twitter.com/bQYva0F3VG

— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) April 19, 2024

Thereafter, reports came in from the Indian Express, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) have accused each other of hurting their poll agents and workers and disrupting the electoral process in the state.

As per other media reports, BJP accused TMC supporters of stone pelting in Chandamari, which allegedly resulted in a BJP booth president suffering an injury. Furthermore, BJP workers also claimed they were attacked in Natabari and injured cadre were admitted to Tufhangunj hospital in Cooch Behar. On the other hand, BJP workers were accused of attacking TMC workers in the Sitalkuchi and Chotosalbari Gram Panchayat areas. Shockingly, during the first hour of voting, crude bombs were also allegedly recovered from the residence of a BJP booth president in Dinhata -II and a TMC polling camp in Sitai was attacked, as per the IE report.

The ruling TMC has also accused the BJP of orchestrating violence in the state, with the party alleging that Union minister and BJP leader Nisith Pramanik was using his position to store arms in his office. As per a report of the Financial Times, the Mamata-led party has also written a letter to the Election Commission in this regard. Taking to ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), TMC alleged that AITC Block President, Bhetaguri, Anant Barman was assaulted by BJP workers and is currently undergoing treatment in hospital. They also said BJP leaders Ratan Burman, Ajeet Mahanto and Hiren Mahanto hurled crude bombs and attacked AITC booth agents, triggering violence.

Under the reign of BJP MP @NisithPramanik, Cooch Behar has devolved into a breeding ground for violence. Despite our repeated calls and warnings about the Union MoS sheltering criminals and hoarding firearms at his residence, the ECI chose to look the other way.

Yesterday’s…

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) April 19, 2024

Tripura:

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer of Agartala, Tripura over electoral malpractices being employed at West Parliamentary constituency of Tripura. As per the complaint, the aforementioned constituency including the 7-Ramnagar Assembly Constituency in Sadar, saw large scale manipulation. The party alleged that polling agents of INDIA bloc were either driven out or not allowed to enter in many of the polling booths. Furthermore, in Ramnagar Assembly constituency, voters, who were mostly Muslims or opposition supports, were threatened a day before the polls to not approach the polling booths to cast their votes. In addition to this, CPI(M) also raised allegation of book capturing in many areas.

The full complaint can be viewed here:

Election Malpractices in Tripura
Letter to Chief Electoral Officer pic.twitter.com/hk53bziORI

— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) April 19, 2024

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Elections 2019: Allegations of Police Lathi-charge in Muslim neighbourhoods, Booth Capturing in Saharanpur

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 12:53:56 +0000

In shocking news, there are allegations of lathi charge by police personnel in Muslim neighbourhoods in Saharanpur. Areas affected include Khata Khedi, Azad Colony, Kamboh ka Pul, Sabri ka Baug, Shiraj Colony and near JBS inter College.

“Police lathi charge took place in Muslim neighbourhoods like Khata Khedi, Azad Colony, Shiraj Colony etc. I was present. The police were trying to intimidate Muslim voters,” said Samajwadi Party MLA Sanjay Garg. “We might complaint against errant officials after polling ends,” he added.

However, the police categorically denied the charges. Speaking to Sabrang India, SSP Saharanpur Dinesh Kumar said, “We have done no such thing. Why would we do something like that? Everything is perfectly peaceful.”

There were also allegations of booth capturing at Numaish Colony Bharat Mata chowk. “Numaish Camp Bharat Mata Chowk is BJP’s bastion. Some people tried to influence polling, but SP karyakartas stopped them. Everything is normal now,” said Garg. The police insisted that no booth capturing actually took place and miscreants were spreading rumours. “Somebody has started a rumour. Our officers are on the spot. No such thing has happened, but how can we stop such rumours,” asked Kumar.

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