Tension gripped a booth of the high- stake Haridwar Rural seat on Wednesday morning during the polling when some Congress workers alleged that a Government employee, deputed on election duty, was nabbed while casting a fake vote at booth number 122 of the constituency in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Swami Yateeshwaranand. Notably, the chief minister Harish Rawat is also contesting from this seat. However, the election officials said that the government official in question- Yogendra Sharma had pressed the button unwittingly.
Speaking of the issue, district election officer S A Murugeshan told The Pioneer, "When Sharma was assisting someone in casting vote at the booth he pressed the button by mistake. He was removed from duty. Strict action will be taken against the official for his negligence." he said.
The DEO further said, “The accused official was replaced immediately to let the polling continue undisturbed.” .