Cash-for-votes scandal 2017: Election Commission orders FIRs after India Today exposed corruption in polls
The Election Commission has ordered to register FIRs against three candidates in Uttar Pradesh after India Today investigation showed them indulging in electoral malpractices. The poll panel also issued show cause notice to a candidate in Manipur, who was exposed by India Today.
In Short
- Election Commission orders FIRs against three candidates in UP.
- Poll panel also issued show cause notice to BJP candidate in Manipur.
- India Today exposed them as they indulged in malpractices.
The Election Commission has taken cognizance of an India Today investigation, which exposed leaders of three different political parties for bribing voters in the ongoing Assembly elections.
The Election Commission of India has directed that FIRs be immediately registered against the candidates who were exposed in the India Today investigation cash-for-votes scandal 2017.
The Election Commission noted that the sting operation by India Today covered three candidates contesting Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. BSP's Ateeq Ahmad Saifi contesting from Moradabad, SP's Atul Garg from Agra North and Peace Party's Rakesh Balmeeki standing in the election from Agra Cantt were caught on camera admitting to adopting unfair means.
READ| Cash for votes scandal 2017: Election Commission orders probe into India Today investigation
In its statement, the poll panel said that the three candidates seemed to have made "statements to the effects of bribing of voters, suppression of election expenses and threatening to attempt booth capturing (in case of Rakesh Balmeeki)."
The Election Commission directed the district election officers "to file FIRs" against these candidates under the Representation of People Act, 1951. The poll panel has sought an action taken report by Saturday.
Also read | Cash for vote: BJP candidate under scanner for distributing money in Mumbai
SHOW CAUSE NOTICE IN MANIPUR
In another case, where India Today exposed electoral malpractices in Manipur, the Election Commission has issued a show cause notice to BJP candidate Woba Joram.
Woba Joram is in the fray from Mao constituency (reserved ST seat) of Manipur. India Today investigation showed that Woba Joram spent far more money than the permissible limit to contest elections.
Joram had told India today that he had already spent Rs 2.02 crore for the present election and mentioned that the voters in his constituency would be bribed in his favour during the election by paying them in cash.
The Election Commission notice to Joram says "the maximum limit for election expenditure in the State is Rs 20,00,000 and any expenditure beyond the said limit will amount to corrupt practices" under the Representation of People Act.
It also says that bribing a voter is an offence under the Indian Penal Code. The poll panel has sought a reply by Saturday.
Earlier, the India Today investigation had shown how candidates of various political parties were blatantly violating Election Commission guidelines. Leaders were caught admitting that they had already spent more than Rs 4 crore in this assembly election.
These candidates also admitted that they were collecting money to bribe voters and to give them booze. Candidates also spoke of how they paid large sums of money to elders in the village so that they could help sway voters.