Assam polling official under scanner after video shows ‘five consecutive votes for BJP’

The office of the District Election Officer suggested that the video had been recorded during a “mock poll” before voting officially began

Following the circulation of a video that purportedly showed a polling agent in Assam’s Karimganj Lok Sabha constituency voting five times on an EVM for the BJP candidate, the District Election Officer issued a show cause notice to polling officials.

In a statement, the office of the DEO suggested that the video had been recorded during a “mock poll” before voting officially began.

“As per procedure, polling agents are allowed to cast a few votes in favour of the candidate during mock poll. Statements of other polling agents are underway and polling officials have been served show cause notice in this regard,” the statement said.

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In the video doing the rounds on social media, Abdul Sahid – a polling agent for Independent candidate Abdul Hameed – can be seen pressing the button for BJP candidate and sitting MP Kripanath Mallah five times in a row.

Voting in the Karimganj constituency took place on April 26.

According to the statement from the DEO’s office, following complaints regarding the video, the matter was brought before the General Observer and the polling team was summoned. According to it, the Presiding Officer of the polling station said the video was taken during a mock poll and the votes cast were cleared before actual polling began. Abdul Sahid, the polling agent, also confirmed this, the statement said.

Sukrita Baruah

Sukrita Baruah is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Guwahati. From this strategic hub, she provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of India's North East, a region characterized by its complex ethnic diversity, geopolitical significance, and unique developmental challenges. Expertise and Experience Ethnic & Social Dynamics: Deep-dive coverage of regional conflicts (such as the crisis in Manipur) and peace-building efforts. Border & Geopolitics: Tracking developments along India’s international borders and their impact on local communities. Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the implementation of central schemes in the North East. Specialized Education Background: Prior to her current role, Sukrita was a dedicated Education Correspondent for The Indian Express in Delhi. This experience provided her with a sharp analytical lens for: Policy Analysis: Evaluating the National Education Policy (NEP) and university-level reforms. Student Affairs: Covering high-stakes stories regarding campus politics, national entrance exams, and the challenges within the primary and secondary education sectors. ... Read More