Police summon 5 armymen for tampering postal ballots
PITHORAGARH/ DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand police have identified five army men in the viral video shared by Congress leader Harish Rawat, which purportedly showed one person at an army centre was ticking all the votes (postal ballot). The five army men from second Kumoan regiment and currently posted in Jammu, have been summoned by Pithoragarh police to record their statements within a week in the matter.
Confirming the development, Lokeshwar Singh, superintendent of police of Pithoragarh, said they identified the five army men by following the trail of video that was being shared.
“One person who had first shared it was from second Kumaon regiment posted in Jammu. Then we looked into the record of the returning officer here who said four army men who had to cast postal ballot were posted at a army unit in Jammu. So, following the video trail and election documents of postal voter list, we were able to identify them. So, we have summoned all the five to record their statements. We will also ask them about the person who was putting votes on their behalf”, he said
Singh said he has also sent the details of the fresh developments to chief electoral officer Uttarakhand.
The SP said the case was lodged on the complaint of Congress candidate from Didihat Pradeep Pal on February 23. He said the case against unknown person was filed at Didihat police station under section 173 ( D) and 173( F) of IPC and section 128 and 132 of People’s Representation Act.
Congress candidate from Didihat Pradeep Pal Didihat said army jawan who cast vote on behalf of others should be punished under relevant laws and the postal votes cast by him should be cancelled
“My family members have been serving the army for last three generations. My younger brother is a Lt col in the army at present.
These army men in the video have given a bad name to the army and the same needs to be condemned. I am proud of Indian army. No one should be allowed to malign the image of army by such acts”, said Pal.
Harish Rawat had shared a short video on his Facebook page few days ago, saying, “I am making a short video viral for the information of everyone, in this, how at army centre one person is ticking all the votes and even putting the signatures of all . See this sample. Will the Election Commission take cognisance of it?”
After Rawat shared the video, Congress leaders under the leadership of state Congress president Ganesh Godiyal had also met chief electoral officer Uttarakhand in Dehradun and submitted a complaint.
In the complaint, Congress submitted the copy of the viral video, alleging that they have received complaints from many areas that postal votes of army men were being cast in favour of BJP candidates at one place, and thus denying the right to vote of soldiers from the state posted across the country.