A polling agent in Faridabad near Delhi was arrested after a video of him allegedly trying to influence voters in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections went viral on social media.
In the video, a man was seen in a blue t-shirt sitting at his table inside a polling booth and women voters were standing in a queue inside the room. The man walked up to the voting compartment, appeared to press a button on the voting machine before returning to his seat. He repeated the act with other women as well. After the video went viral, multiple people tagged the Election Commission on Twitter asking for action to be taken against the man.
According to Indian Express, election commissioner, Ashok Lavasa confirmed that the polling agent was arrested on Sunday afternoon and a report on the issue will be examined by the Election Commission. Lavasa said the polling agent was arrested on Sunday afternoon and an FIR has been lodged. “DEO Faridabad reported that the observer, Sanjay Kumar investigated the entire matter. Report of the observer will be examined by ECI and action will be taken against those found wanting in their duty,” he tweeted. “Prompt action taken. FIR lodged. Person behind bars. Observer enquired the matter personally and is satisfied that polling was never vitiated (sic),” the District Election Office in Faridabad tweeted after the Haryana election body instructed them to take action. The man has been charged for alleged booth capturing.
The local election office told NDTV that the polling agent was trying to influence “at least 3 lady voters”. Based on the election body’s complaint, the man was arrested by the police on Sunday evening. Polling agents are appointed by the candidates standing in the election to oversee the process in the station. The arrested man’s political party has not been made known as yet.
