Following a voting scandal captured on video, the Presiding Officer at Nayadhar LP School in Karimganj district has been suspended by the District Election Officer. The suspension stems from a serious breach of duty, allowing a polling agent to cast multiple votes on an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in violation of electoral rules.
The suspension was enacted through an official order issued by Mridul Yadav, the Returning Officer cum District Election Officer of Karimganj. The order highlighted the Presiding Officer’s failure to enforce the prohibition on mobile phones within the polling station, leading to the recording of the voting process.
Citing the Hand Book for Presiding Officer, 2023, the order emphasized the prohibition of cellphones, smartwatches, or cordless phones inside polling stations. It underscored the Presiding Officer’s responsibility to ensure compliance with this rule to safeguard the integrity and secrecy of the electoral process.
The suspension, imposed under Rule 6(1)(A) of the Assam Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964, was attributed to the gross negligence and dereliction of duty by Shri Nazrul Haque Tapadar, the Librarian serving as the Presiding Officer.
During the suspension period, Shri Nazrul Haque Tapadar’s headquarters will remain at his place of posting in Karlingang. The move reaffirms the electoral authorities’ commitment to maintaining the fairness and transparency of the electoral process by enforcing stringent protocols and regulations.