Daijiworld Media Network - Hassan (SP)

Hassan, Apr 29: A case has been registered against seven persons including polling officers on the allegation of violating election rules at polling booth No. 244 located at Paduvalahippe village, Holenarasipura taluk in the district. Deputy commissioner of the district, Priyanka Mary Francis, who also happens to be the district election officer, clarified that three polling officers of the booth have been suspended from service on the allegation of dereliction of duty.

BJP agents, M N Raju and Mayanna, had complained about casting of votes illegally at this booth with the tacit support of minister, H D Revanna. As per the instructions of the deputy commissioner who scrutinized the complaint, electoral officer, Girish M Nandan, filed complaint in rural police station about the irregularities.

The complaint has been supported by the video evidence. As per the web casting video of the election held on April 18, Ravi and some others who were not voters of the said booth, moved in and out of the booth with electors photo identity cards in hand. Another person, Purushotham, is seen repeatedly entering the booth and trying to influence voters.

On the basis of these allegations, presiding officer of the booth, Yogesh, who happens to be lecturer of the government LV Polytechnic at Hassan, D L Ramachandra Rao, teacher of higher primary school at Purlehalli, Arasikere taluk, and D S Dinesh, teacher of higher primary school at Doddabyagathahalli, have been suspended. Complaint under different sections of Representation of Peoples Act and election rules stands lodged.

The BJP is preparing to complain about such irregularities in 18 more polling booths in the district. This has given rise to speculations about re-poll being ordered in certain polling booths. Hassan MLA, Preetham Gowda, has sought action against the personnel and also district in-charge minister, H D Revanna, who he said, had forced the officials to indulge in election-related irregularities.