Nagpur graduates' poll: two ballot papers cancelled after vote found already recorded

Complaints about irregularities in the electoral roll and ballot papers surfaced during voting in the graduates' constituency election in Nagpur. One voter's name was found in the list as having already voted. After an objection was raised, two ballot papers were cancelled and the voters were given fresh ballots to cast their votes.

According to Dr Prashant Gaikwad, he had gone to vote in room number 2 of polling station number 130 at the Amit Upper Primary School in Sarveshwar Nagar. There, a voting entry and signature were already recorded against his name.

Gaikwad said there were differences in the ballot paper number, the voter's signature and the part number. He informed the election officials.

According to Gaikwad's claim, differences in signature, part number and ballot paper number were also found in the entries of two other voters. After the complaint, election officials examined the matter. They cancelled two ballot papers and issued fresh ones, with which the voters concerned cast their votes.

There were also complaints of names appearing at more than one place in the electoral roll. It was said that such voters were being made to write a declaration of four to five lines on plain paper.

Laxmi Vanjari's name was said to be listed under part numbers 190 and 150. Similarly, complaints were made that the names of Saurabh Thulkar, Rakesh Taksande, Amisha Shewale, Anjali Patil and Narendra Rangari also appeared in two places each.

Some young men and women complained that they could not vote because their names were not on the list. Several young people in Pratap Nagar expressed anger at not finding their names. They said the name was not found on polling day, so they could not exercise their right to vote.

The complaints have raised questions about the accuracy of the electoral roll and the entries recorded in the voting process. No official finding has so far emerged on the cause of these irregularities or who is responsible.