Supriya Sule seeks electoral accountability as Devendra Fadnavis responds to allegations of alleged irregularities.
PUNE: NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule has raised concerns over allegations that the BJP is using pens fitted with spy cameras to record voters during the ongoing Maharashtra Legislative Council elections in the Pune Teachers’ and Graduates’ constituencies.She has called on the Election Commission and the government to investigate the matter and take strict action against those found guilty.In a post on X, Sule alleged that voters were being given pens equipped with hidden cameras and asked to keep them in their pockets while casting their ballots in favour of BJP candidates. According to the complaints cited by her, voters were allegedly promised money in exchange for showing the recorded footage after voting.Calling the allegations serious, Sule said the reported practice could compromise ballot secrecy and undermine voters’ independence. She urged the authorities to take immediate cognisance of the complaints, carry out a detailed investigation and ensure accountability.
“Such practices that undermine the fundamental principles of democracy must not be tolerated under any circumstances,” she said, emphasising the need for elections to be conducted freely, fairly and transparently, without intimidation or coercion.
Supriya Sule's full statement on X
"Complaints have surfaced that in the Pune Teachers and Graduates Constituency election, the BJP is using pens equipped with spy cams for distributing money. Voters are reporting that such pens are being placed in their pockets, a video is recorded of them casting their vote for the BJP candidate, and after voting, upon showing the video, the promised money is handed over—this is the kind of activity that's underway," the MP wrote."These complaints are extremely serious and concerning. The Election Commission and the government must take immediate notice of this practice, which jeopardizes the secrecy of voting and the independence of voters, conduct a thorough investigation, and take strict action against the guilty parties, she alleged."Practices that trample upon the fundamental principles of democracy must not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The election process must be conducted in a fair, fearless, and transparent environment."
'Unaware of the device': Fadnavis
Reacting to the allegations, chief minister
Devendra Fadnavis
said he was unfamiliar with the device and would comment only after examining it.“I will be able to comment on it only if I get to see it,” said Fadnavis, who cast his vote in the Nagpur Graduates’ constituency earlier in the day.When questioned by reporters in Nagpur about Sule’s claims, the chief minister said he did not even know what a spycam pen was.
Elections being held for 5 MLC seats
Biennial elections are underway for five seats in the 78-member Maharashtra Legislative Council, comprising three Graduates’ constituencies and two Teachers’ constituencies.The seats going to the polls are Pune Division Graduates’, Nagpur Division Graduates’, Pune Division Teachers’, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Graduates’ and Amravati Teachers’ constituencies.The ruling Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Sunetra Pawar-led NCP, is contesting the elections against the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The MVA comprises the Congress, Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).Vote counting is scheduled for October 27, while the entire election process is expected to conclude by October 31, according to officials.
(With agency inputs)