HAVERI: A Congress worker has been accused of casting a bogus vote in the name of another woman during polling for the West Graduates' Constituency election in Karnataka's Haveri, according to media reports.
The Haveri assistant commissioner submitted a report to the district election officer stating that, prima facie, Congress worker Shilpa Bademmanavar voted in the name of Asha Patil, wife of Congress district unit president Sanjeevkumar Neralagi.
The district election officer directed the presiding officer to lodge a complaint against Bademmanavar. Police said an FIR would be registered only after the matter was brought to the court's notice, since it pertains to an election.
An assistant teacher at a government high school who was appointed assistant presiding officer to verify voters' identity at the booth has also been recommended for action.
Neralagi said he would file a complaint with the district election officer after learning that a bogus vote had been cast in his wife's name, media reported.
BJP district president Virupakshappa Ballari accused Congress leaders and election officials of encouraging electoral malpractice, and demanded the suspension of the officials concerned and legal action against the accused.
Additional Deputy Commissioner L Nagaraj said no complaint had been received earlier but that the matter would now be investigated and a complaint registered against the presiding officer.
The BJP said it would stage a protest outside the residence of district in-charge minister Rudrappa Lamani on October 26 over the alleged malpractice.