The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Warning on casting bogus votes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 31, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Warning on casting bogus votes

Staff Reporter

‘In a democracy everyone whose name appears in the voters’ list has the right to vote.’

KOCHI: Chief Election Officer Nalini Netto has said that interfering with the fundamental right to exercise franchise independently in an election was punishable under section 171 E of the Indian Penal Code.

Ms. Netto in a statement said that in a democracy everyone whose name appears in the voters’ list has the right to vote. Casting bogus votes and instigating others to do so was also an offence under the IPC punishable with imprisonment up to one year or fine or both.

Capturing booth, interfering with the free franchise of voters either by creating terror or through threats were punishable with three years’ imprisonment or fine or both under section 135 A of the election rules.

If those indulging in such offences were government employees they were punishable with imprisonment ranging from three years to five years and fine or both, Ms. Netto said. Bribing voters or giving them gifts or promising to do so to induce them to vote for a particular party or candidate was an offence drawing punishment up to one year or fine or both under Section 171 of the IPC.

Ms. Netto said that whoever who comes across such illegal actions could fearlessly lodge complaints with the authorities concerned. Whereabouts of the complainant would not be disclosed. Phone and fax numbers at the offices of the Central Election Commission, Chief Election Officer, and the district election officer and the contact numbers of election observers were available at the website www.ceokerala.com.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala