The Chikkamagaluru district administration conducted a re-poll for the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee at Shivani Tarikere on Friday, following a complaint of election offence against Tarikere MLA G.H. Srinivas and others. Returning Officer for Shivani APMC filed the complaint accusing the MLA and his followers of election malpractice.
The incident occurred around 3.45 p.m. on Thursday during the polling. Deputy Commissioner G. Satyvati said the returning officer had complained that the MLA and his followers snatched 51 ballot papers from the polling officer in the booth and voted as per their wish. “We ordered for re-polling in Shivani following this incident,” she said.
Within minutes after the incident, the election was stopped. The returning officer filed a complaint with Ajjampura police against the MLA and others. Superintendent of Police K. Annamalai said a case had been registered under the sections 171 C, 35 and 135 A of the Indian Penal Code. These sections are related to election offences. The police have issued notices to the accused, the SP added.
No untoward incidents were reported during the re-poll.
