Maintain sanctity of electoral process: Avny Lavasa tells Army

The district election officer, Leh has written to the Army authorities to maintain sanctity of electoral process after two contesting candidates alleged that officers were voting on behalf of soldiers posted away from their unit headquarters.

In a letter, DEO Leh, Avny Lavasa has written to GeneralOfficer Commanding 14 Corps to maintain sanctity of electoral process andsensitize the concerned officers about the procedures prescribed by theElection Commission regarding casting of votes by service voters. “It isalleged that the commanding officers are telephonically asking Jawans for theirvoting preference rather than supplying to them the ballot papers for castinghis vote (sic). This is a gross violation of secrecy and a malpractice that hasthe potential to invite strict legal action,” reads the letter written by DEO.

   

 The DC wrote to theArmy after Asgar Ali Karbalai, complained that superiors of Army were voting onbehalf of soldiers who were not present at headquarters of their respectiveunits.

They alleged that ballot papers were not being provided tothe soldiers who were posted away from their unit headquarters and insteadofficers were voting on their behalf after consulting them over telephone.

“It is being reported from various reliable sources that theservice voters who are not present in the headquarters of the respective unitsare being asked on telephone about their voting preference and voting is doneby superiors. This is against the norms and the constitution. This needs to becorrected immediately as the service voting would continue till start ofcounting,” reads the letter written by chief polling agent of Karbalai to DEO.

“You are requested to kindly intervene in the matter andensure that the service voters get their voting slips and vote according totheir own choice and freedom.”

As per procedure, Army personnel are entitled to vote attheir place of posting through postal ballots. They can send the ballot papersfor ongoing Lok Sabha to returning officers until the start of counting on May23.

Meanwhile, Public Relation Officer, Defence Ministry, ColRajesh Kalia said that preliminary investigations indicate that the complaintsare unfounded and appears to have been made to tarnish the image of Army.

“Some political candidates appear to have complainedregarding postal ballot process to be cast by service personnel,” he said,adding that no specific instances have been mentioned in the complaints.

He said that in- depth investigation is on to ascertain thedetails in the most impartial manner.

“Army remains apolitical and we hold this core value inletter and spirit,” he said.

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