The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday alleged large-scale irregularities in the first and second phases of polling for four lok Sabha seats in the state and demanded action against the officials involved.
Addressing the media here, AAP state coordinator Sanket Thakur and party media in charge Uchit Sharma said the officials engaged to conduct and ensure free and fare election themselves were involved in the irregularities.
Clothes, money, liquor and other items were distributed to influence the voters in violation of the model code of conduct. Peaceful polling did not take place in Bastar, Rajnandgaon, Kanker and Masamund, they alleged.The elections had been marred by violence in Bastar. Sixteen people including seven jawans were killed. Despite written complaints, no actions were taken, the AAP leaders said.
They said there was incomplete voting in many polling stations in Konta, BIjapur and Dantewada while some places witnessed heavy polling, which indicated bogus voting.Due to lack of security, as many as 218 polling stations were shifted to other places. The voters came to know about it only after they visited their polling stations, they said.
In many places, the voting centres were set up at a distance of about 10 to 70 km as a result the voting was affected, they alleged.In some polling stations in Rajnandgaon's Khairagarh the button near the name of the AAP candidate was not working. The machine was repaired only after 12 pm.The AAP leaders said money and liquor were distributed by some people near Khallari temple in Mahasamund area. Election materials were also distributed which are clear violations of the model code of conduct, they alleged.
The AAP leaders said they have brought these incidents to the notice of the election commission but no action has been taken so far.