BJP Cries Foul Over ‘Tampered’ Ballot Box; DC Orders Probe

Mohali: High drama marked polling at booth no. 134 in ward 36 of Mohali during the municipal corporation elections Tuesday after the BJP alleged tampering with a ballot box seal, prompting an official probe.

The complaint was lodged by BJP candidate and district president Sanjeev Vashisht, who also recorded a video at the polling booth in a school in Sector 70. The party alleged irregularities in the sealing of the ballot box and raised objections over the polling process.

BJP leaders said the issue surfaced after their candidate at the booth noticed alleged discrepancies in the sealing and alerted senior party functionaries. Vashisht later reached the spot with party workers and inspected the ballot box.

He alleged that the seal had been tampered with and submitted a complaint to the district election officer, also accusing the state govt of misusing the administrative machinery — an allegation made by the party.

Following the complaint, deputy commissioner-cum-district election officer Komal Mittal directed the SDM and area DSP to visit the booth and verify the claims. Senior officials inspected the polling station and examined the sealing process in the presence of polling agents.

Clarifying the administration’s stand, Mittal said the ballot box seal had not been broken and only the tags were found loose. She said the tags were tightened and the sealing process was completed again in the presence of polling agents, who signed the report.

The DC added that the issue was resolved on the spot and polling continued peacefully thereafter.