BJP uses party symbols in polling booths, threatens voters in Gujarat

Vadodara: After noticing that BJP's polling agents and polling officers were using pens bearing symbols of the party inside polling booths, the Congress in Gujarat filed complaints with the Election Commission of India on Tuesday, citing violations of the Model Code of Conduct, The Indian Express reported.

The party also alleged that BJP workers were threatening voters while "anti-socials" were trying to stall the poll process in certain areas.

The Congress party wrote EC, "It is to draw attention to the violation of utilising materials and pens, having the symbol of the BJP political party, by the polling agents and officers working in the polling booth in the entire state of Gujarat, where the election is in process on May 7, 2024. The pens have a picture/symbol of the BJP, and the same is being used within the polling booths…" TIE quoted.

The complaint further said, "Every polling booth is decorated with flags and torans with the symbol of the BJP. It is a clear-cut violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Above mentioned corrupt practice adopted by the BJP to influence the election process."

Following the party's complaint, president Shaktisinh Gohil took to X and Instagram to post videos of the Sector 19 polling station in Gandhinagar, where he cast his vote. It can be seen in the video that Gohil questions the presiding officer for ignoring the issue of BJP symbols. He also accused ECI of not acting on the complaint filed by his party.

In a separate complaint by the party, it alleged that anti-socials were preventing minority voters from polling in polling stations of Bhata School of 42-Vejalpur Assembly constituency in Gandhinagar Parliamentary constituency. Also, Congress alleged that there were threats issued against voters in Rotary Nagar in Morbi in Kutch Lok Sabha constituency.