Re-polling "going peacefully" in Assam's Karmganj North Sribhumi: District Commissioner
Sribhumi, April 11
The re-polling process in the 123-Karimganj North Assembly constituency of Assam's Sribhumi district is going peacefully with proper security arrangements, assured Sribhumi District Commissioner, Pradeep Kumar Dwivedi, on Saturday.
"Everything is going peacefully under the supervision of the authorities and police protection. The voting is being conducted peacefully and securely. Hopefully, the entire process will be concluded peacefully," he said.
He further said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) observed the need for fresh polls after disruptions occurred on April 9 during the polling process. There are 599 voters at the 239-Babyland High English School polling station for the re-voting.
"The matter is under investigation, but the poll process was disrupted, and the Election Commission believed that there is a need for fresh polls. There are 599 voters here. I cannot enter into the voting room very frequently, but the last time I went there, around 20 votes had been cast," he added.
Earlier on Friday, the ECI ordered a repoll for Assam's Karimganj North following a detailed post-poll scrutiny of Form 17A and other poll-day records.
The Commission stated that the scrutiny of documents was carried out smoothly across all 296 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) that went to polls in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, as well as four ACs where bye-elections were held in Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura.
The process was conducted in the presence of 296 Returning Officers (ROs) and 296 General Observers (GOs) appointed by the Commission. All 1,899 candidates were informed in advance about the date, time, and venue to ensure their participation in the scrutiny exercise.
The ECI further stated that the entire process was videographed, and after completion of scrutiny, Form 17A and related documents were re-sealed under the supervision and seal of the respective Returning Officers (RO).
— ANI
Reader Comments
Only 599 voters? The disruption must have been significant for the ECI to order a fresh poll for such a small booth. Hope the investigation finds out what really happened. The video recording of the scrutiny is a good step.
Peaceful polling is the bare minimum we should expect. While I appreciate the DC's assurance, I have to ask respectfully: why did the disruption happen in the first place? Better preventive security is needed, not just reactive measures.
The detailed process with Returning Officers, observers, and informing all candidates is impressive. It shows the system has robust checks. Hope the 599 voters get to exercise their franchise without any fear this time.
Babyland High English School polling station... interesting name! Jokes aside, glad the EC is taking disruptions seriously. Every vote counts, even in a small booth. The sanctity of the ballot must be maintained at all costs.
Form 17A scrutiny is technical but so important. This shows our election machinery is working. Kudos to the officials on the ground in Sribhumi. Hope the rest of the counting process goes smoothly.
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