Telangana MLA’s goof-up during Presidential poll

Hyderabad, July 18 (IANS) A Congress MLA in Telangana demanded a new ballot paper while casting her vote for the Presidential poll on Monday after a goof-up, but the poll authorities declined to provide the same citing rules.

There were speculations that Seethakka cast her vote by mistake in favour of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Darupadi Murmu. She, however, denied it.

Confusion prevailed when Seethakka was in the polling centre to cast her vote. As she spent a long time in the voting compartment, the polling personnel on duty tried to know the reason. Maheshwar Reddy, serving as Congress agent on behalf of Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha, suggested to the MLA that if she had any doubt, she can demand a new ballot paper.

The MLA made a request to the polling officer on duty for another ballot paper. The officer then consulted his seniors and also the poll observer appointed by the Election Commission of India. Meanwhile, the MLA kept waiting at the polling centre.

The official later informed her that a new ballot can’t be provided to her as per the rules. The MLA then put the first ballot paper issued to her.

The MLA later clarified that there was an ink mark on top of the ballot paper and hence she demanded another ballot paper. She said since the officials refused to issue a new ballot paper, she inserted the ballot paper given to her into the box.

The MLA said she voted in favour Sinha, the candidate supported by her party.

Seethakka, whose real name is Danasari Seethakka, represents the Mulugu Assembly constituency. She is one of the six MLAs of the party in the 119-member Telangana Assembly.

–IANS

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