Officials Punished for Letting Children into Voting Areas in Maharashtra Elections

Election officials in Maharashtra have been suspended after videos showed children inside polling booths during local elections. The State Election Commission is taking action to ensure voting rules are followed.
By Newsroom | Elections, Maharashtra |

Swift action has been taken against election personnel following reports of minors being present inside polling compartments during the Maharashtra Zilla Parishad elections. The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has ordered the suspension of polling officers and police constables for alleged violations of electoral conduct, specifically for allowing minors into areas restricted to registered voters. The incidents, captured in viral videos, have raised concerns about the integrity of the voting process and adherence to election laws.

Contextual Overview

The recent Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections in Maharashtra have become a focal point due to alleged breaches of polling booth protocols. Specifically, two separate incidents have drawn the attention of the State Election Commission (SEC):

Minor inside polling booth: Maharashtra SEC orders action against election official, cop - 1

  • Solapur Incident: A video surfaced showing Arjun Sinh Mohite Patil, an NCP (SP) candidate, with his 14-year-old son inside a polling booth at Yashwant Nagar. The footage purportedly shows the son standing beside his father and pressing a button on an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). The SEC, in response, has ordered the suspension of polling officer Anna Savata Budhe and police constable Gajanan Sitaram Rajut. An FIR has also been registered against Mohite Patil.

  • Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Incident: Another video emerged depicting Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena MLA Vilas Bhumre entering a polling booth in Pachod with his minor son. Both were observed with ink marks on their fingers, suggesting participation in the voting process. In this case, three polling officials, including the head of the booth and a booth officer, have been suspended pending an inquiry.

Read More: Virginia Voters Can Vote on New Map While Courts Decide

These occurrences highlight a potential pattern of rule infringement during the elections, prompting official investigations and disciplinary actions. The legal voting age in India is 18, and election rules stipulate that only registered voters are permitted inside polling compartments to ensure a secure and impartial voting environment.

Evidence of Irregularities

Multiple reports and available data confirm the reported incidents and the subsequent actions taken:

Minor inside polling booth: Maharashtra SEC orders action against election official, cop - 2

  • The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC), in a formal letter dated February 10, communicated to the Solapur collector that allowing a child inside the polling compartment constituted a violation of election rules. The SEC's directive underscores the official recognition of the breach.

  • A viral video allegedly shows Arjun Sinh Mohite Patil's 14-year-old son pressing an EVM button inside the Yashwant Nagar polling booth.

  • Another viral video depicts Shiv Sena MLA Vilas Bhumre and his son inside a polling booth in Pachod, both bearing ink marks on their fingers.

  • Article 1 notes that an FIR has been registered in the Solapur incident, naming Mohite-Patil, and the SEC directed the collector to submit a factual report.

  • Article 2 identifies the suspended officials in Solapur as polling officer Anna Savata Budhe and police constable Gajanan Sitaram Rajut.

  • Article 6 mentions that in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar incident, the district collector Dilip Swami ordered a probe, and three polling officials were suspended pending inquiry.

Read More: Maharashtra Local Election Results Show Mixed Results for Parties

Discrepancies in Accounts and Perceptions

While the presence of minors in polling booths and the subsequent actions are documented, there are varying perspectives on the severity and intent behind these occurrences.

  • Official Stance and Regulatory Enforcement:

  • The SEC has clearly stated that permitting a minor inside a polling compartment is a violation of election rules.

  • The immediate suspension of polling officers and constables, along with departmental proceedings, indicates a strict interpretation of these rules by the commission.

  • The registration of an FIR against candidate Arjun Sinh Mohite-Patil suggests a legal challenge beyond administrative action.

  • Candidates' Explanations and Justifications:

  • Arjun Sinh Mohite Patil reportedly denied any wrongdoing, stating his son was merely curious about the voting process.

  • Vilas Bhumre downplayed the incident, describing it as his son's curiosity and desire to have ink on his finger while Bhumre himself was being marked after voting. This framing attempts to recontextualize the presence of the minor from participation to passive accompaniment.

  • Public and Media Reaction:

  • The viral nature of the videos has amplified public concern, with reports framing the events as "election controversy" and highlighting "electoral misconduct."

  • News outlets have raised concerns over "voting laws" and "electoral integrity."

Read More: New Voting Rules Proposed in Congress Could Affect Millions

Procedural Adherence and Candidate Accountability

The incidents raise critical questions regarding the procedures followed at polling stations and the accountability of candidates and elected officials.

  • The Rule Violation:

  • Election rules strictly prohibit individuals other than authorized personnel and registered voters from entering polling compartments.

  • Minors, by definition, are not eligible to vote and their presence inside the booth could be construed as an attempt to influence the vote or as a breach of ballot secrecy.

  • Candidate's Role and Responsibility:

  • Was due diligence exercised by the candidates to ensure that their family members, particularly minors, did not enter restricted areas?

  • Did candidates actively facilitate or permit the presence of minors within the polling compartments?

  • Official Oversight and Enforcement:

  • To what extent did the polling officials and security personnel adhere to their mandate of maintaining the sanctity of the polling booth?

  • What specific protocols were in place to prevent unauthorized access, and were these protocols effectively implemented on the day of the election? The disciplinary action against officials suggests a lapse in their supervisory duties.

Read More: Mahindra's Rs 15,000 Crore Nagpur Gamble: Will This Mega Plant Deliver or Collapse?

Implications and Next Steps

The Maharashtra SEC's decisive action signals an intent to uphold electoral standards. However, the broader implications extend to the perception of fairness and the robustness of electoral processes in the region.

  • Disciplinary Actions: The suspensions and departmental inquiries initiated against the polling officer, police constable, and three polling officials in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar indicate that election authorities are taking these breaches seriously.

  • Legal Scrutiny: The registration of an FIR against candidate Arjun Sinh Mohite-Patil suggests that the matter may move beyond administrative sanctions, potentially leading to legal proceedings.

  • Future Preventive Measures: It remains to be seen whether these incidents will prompt a review and strengthening of training protocols for election officials regarding booth management and unauthorized access.

  • Factual Reporting: The directive for a factual report from the Solapur collector emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of the events leading to the alleged violation.

Read More: New Bill Wants ID to Vote and Proof of Citizenship to Register

The SEC's response aims to serve as a deterrent, reinforcing the message that adherence to election laws is paramount. Further updates on the ongoing inquiries and any subsequent legal actions will be critical in assessing the full resolution of these electoral controversies.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why were election officials suspended in Maharashtra?
They were suspended because videos showed them letting children into areas where people vote. This is against the election rules.
Q: What happened in the Solapur incident?
A candidate's young son was seen inside a polling booth. The election officer and a police officer were suspended.
Q: What happened in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar incident?
A politician and his son were seen inside a polling booth. Three election officials were suspended while an investigation happens.
Q: Is it against the rules for children to be in polling booths?
Yes, only voters and election workers are allowed inside the voting area. Children are not allowed.