MP: Postal Nodal officer suspended for opening postal ballots in Balaghat

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

Bhopal, Nov 28:  Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Anupam Rajan informed on Tuesday that in relation to opening postal ballots before the Balaghat district’s vote counting, a postal nodal officer was suspended.

Following a complaint from the Congress party that the Balaghat District Election Officer had opened postal ballot votes before the day of counting, the action was taken. It has been determined that Himmat Singh, a tehsildar, is the suspended official.

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“No postal ballot votes were counted in Balaghat. The postal ballot votes were sorted according to the assembly constituencies and it was done in the presence of representatives of all political parties. Though a procedural error occurred there about opening the ballot box before time. It was opened before the due date. In view of which, a postal nodal officer and Tehsildar has been suspended,” Anupam Rajan stated.

MP Congress election-in-charge filed the complaint

A delegation from Congress, headed by JP Dhanopia, the party’s election in charge, filed a complaint with the State Election Commission on Monday, alleging that the Balaghat District Election Officer had opened postal ballot votes before the day of counting.

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“There is a collusion between District Election Officer Girish Kumar Mishra and the local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA in Balaghat. Our candidate and supporters reached the spot and made this video. Earlier, our state president Kamal Nath had feared such irregularities. We have complained today and have been assured of action after investigation”, MP Congress election-in-charge JP Dhanopia said on Monday.

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