PANAJI: Congress has written to the Election Commission of India alleging that BJP is violating the election process and is intimidating voters who are supposed to cast their votes through postal ballots. The party said that despite informing the chief electoral officer-Goa on several occasions, no action is being taken.
“After the voting date, the state government machinery indulgence and candidates of the ruling party haved in illegal acts of threatening and intimidating voters who are supposed to cast their votes through postal ballots. The government officials are being coerced to cast their votes in a particular manner in favor of the ruling party candidates,” said state Congress party president Girish Chodankar,
Chodankar also informed the EC that “BJP candidates distributed large sums of money to voters ahead of the polling day in an attempt to influence voters”. He said that complaints were filed on February 15 and 16 with Goa CEO Kunal but no action was initiated. “We request your good office to act immediately and ensure that sanctity of the election process and values of democracy are maintained and no malpractices are resorted to,” said Chodankar.
Chodankar has asked the EC to initiate an inquiry to find out why Goa Police sent a wireless message to all police stations asking for a list of all personnel who have to submit their postal ballots.
“It is apparent that the ruling party, having realised the imminent defeat in the election, has resorted to all possible illegalities and corrupt practices in a brazen manner with complete disrespect to rule of law. All this is happening solely because the Election Commission officials are reluctant to initiate any action against such illegalities despite complaints in this regard,” said Chodankar.
Congress has also said that while BJP candidates have been provided with a list of postal ballot voters, the same list has not been shared with the other parties, indicating the lack of a level playing field.
“After the voting date, the state government machinery indulgence and candidates of the ruling party haved in illegal acts of threatening and intimidating voters who are supposed to cast their votes through postal ballots. The government officials are being coerced to cast their votes in a particular manner in favor of the ruling party candidates,” said state Congress party president Girish Chodankar,
Chodankar also informed the EC that “BJP candidates distributed large sums of money to voters ahead of the polling day in an attempt to influence voters”. He said that complaints were filed on February 15 and 16 with Goa CEO Kunal but no action was initiated. “We request your good office to act immediately and ensure that sanctity of the election process and values of democracy are maintained and no malpractices are resorted to,” said Chodankar.
Chodankar has asked the EC to initiate an inquiry to find out why Goa Police sent a wireless message to all police stations asking for a list of all personnel who have to submit their postal ballots.
“It is apparent that the ruling party, having realised the imminent defeat in the election, has resorted to all possible illegalities and corrupt practices in a brazen manner with complete disrespect to rule of law. All this is happening solely because the Election Commission officials are reluctant to initiate any action against such illegalities despite complaints in this regard,” said Chodankar.
Congress has also said that while BJP candidates have been provided with a list of postal ballot voters, the same list has not been shared with the other parties, indicating the lack of a level playing field.
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