Poll to Rajarajeswari Nagar AC in Karnataka deferred to May 28

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The Election Commission of India (ECI) exercising powers under Article 324 of the Constitution and sections 30 and 153 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, read with section 21 of the General Clauses Act, 1897, and all other powers enabling it on its behalf, on May 11, 2018, deferred the poll to Assembly Constituency (AC) Number 154, Rajarajeswari Nagar in Karnataka, which was scheduled for May 12, 2018, to May 28, 2018. The counting of the votes of this Constituency will take plac Photo Voter Slipse on May 31, 2018.

After announcement of the poll, many complaints were received from this constituency with regard to distribution of money and gift items. Several such items were seized by the flying squads. A truck carrying goods worth Rs 95 lakh was seized on May 6, 2018, while thousands of EPICs ( Voter I Cards), Laptops, Survey Forms, were seized from Flat No. 115, SLV Park Apartment, Jalahalli, on May 8, 2018, according to a PIB release.

Considering seriousness of the matter, the ECI had directed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to visit the spot along with the Police Commissioner of Bengaluru and other officials. Prima facie, the EPIC cards, as per the CEO, after random verification, seemed genuine. The Observers also visited the spot and gave their reports.

The seized documents indicated that the party/candidate concerned had used a survey firm to carry out a detailed survey of the voters in the area.

The ECI then sent a Deputy Election Comission (DEC) for examining the matter and submitting his report within 24 hours. DEC Chandra Bhushan Kumar visited Bengaluru on May 9 and submitted his report on May 10, 2018, late evening. The DEC, in his report, said that as per the report of DEO, 9,564 EPIC cards were found in the aforesaid flat. The DEC concluded that there appeared to be planned design to induce the voters.