Madhya Pradesh Congress has alleged that officials in Balaghat prematurely opened postal ballots ahead of the scheduled counting on December 3. State Congress chief Kamal Nath took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a video depicting the opening of postal ballots in Balaghat before the official counting process.
The Congress party has formally lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, expressing concerns about potential tampering. In a translated statement in Hindi, Kamal Nath emphasized the gravity of the situation and called for swift action against those responsible.
The circulated video, initially shared by the state Congress, features officials sorting postal ballots inside a secure room, with some individuals expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of prior notification.
निर्वाचन को कलंकित करते बालाघाट कलेक्टर
मध्यप्रदेश के बालाघाट जिले के कलेक्टर डॉ. गिरीश मिश्रा ने आज 27 नवंबर को ही स्ट्रांग रूम खुलवाकर बिना अभ्यर्थियों को सूचना दिए डाक मतपत्रों की पेटियां खोल दी है।
अंतिम साँसें गिनती शिवराज सरकार और सरकार की अंधभक्ति में लीन कलेक्टर… pic.twitter.com/I1UrKmHK5B
— MP Congress (@INCMP) November 27, 2023
Following the controversy, local magistrate Gopal Soni informed reporters that the process of sorting Electronically Transmitted Postal Ball System (ETPBS) ballots into bundles of 50 was a standard procedure.
He clarified that the entire operation is conducted under CCTV surveillance, with guards stationed at the door. Soni explained that a specific room at the local tehsil office serves as the strong room for postal ballots. This room not only securely stores the postal ballots for Balaghat assembly seats but also houses postal ballots for the other five assembly segments in Balaghat district. He emphasized that the strong room was opened daily in the presence of representatives from all political parties.
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The sorting process was carried out based on individual assembly seats, and the ballots were arranged in bundles of 50, with the entire procedure being transparent and witnessed by representatives from every political party.
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