New Delhi: A storm of controversy has engulfed the political landscape of Madhya Pradesh following the emergence of a video purportedly depicting the minor son of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader casting a vote during the Lok Sabha elections in Berasia, Bhopal.Son of BJP leader casting voteThe incident, captured in a 14-second video shared online, purportedly shows the son of Vinay Mehar, a BJP panchayat leader, accompanying his father into the polling booth and appearing to cast a vote on his behalf using the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). The video, allegedly shared on the Facebook page of the BJP leader, has raised significant questions about the integrity of the electoral process.Mobile phone on booth is a breach of protocolConcerns have been raised regarding the presence of a mobile phone within the polling booth and the apparent breach of protocol allowing a minor to accompany his father during the voting process. The footage, flagged by the media advisor of Congress leader Kamal Nath, depicts the boy and his father inside the booth, pressing a button on the EVM corresponding to the BJPs symbol, the lotus.That is enough nowAs the VVPAT machine registers the vote, Mehar is heard concluding, Ok. That is enough now, raising further eyebrows about the authenticity of the electoral exercise. The videos dissemination has prompted swift reactions from political circles, with questions being raised about the Election Commissions oversight and the potential ramifications of such actions.Shocking!!Bhopal BJP Zilla Panchayat member Vinay Meher made his minor son vote on EVM and even recorded the event.This is Pure Mockery of Democracy!!ECISVEEP should correct their name to UC-I-SLEEP 😴 pic.twitter.com/MuqXa4ccYX— Soniye (@goldensunris741) May 9, 2024In response to the controversy, District Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh has initiated an investigation, vowing to take action against the Presiding Officer at the polling booth and any individuals implicated in the incident. Presiding Officer Sandeep Saini has been suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry, and a First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against the BJP leader.The incident is from Berasia AssemblyThe gravity of the situation is underscored by the fact that the Berasia Assembly segment, where the alleged incident occurred, is reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates and holds significant electoral importance within the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat. As the investigation unfolds, the political ramifications of this controversy are likely to reverberate throughout the region.With the Election Commission yet to issue a formal response to the video, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the sanctity of the democratic process and ensuring the integrity of electoral procedures.
