Date:19/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/10/19/stories/2004101907451100.htm

National

Poll panel team wraps up probe

LUCKNOW, OCT. 18. A four-member Election Commission team to make an on the spot inquiry into the complaints of rigging and booth capturing in the Mainpuri Lok Sabha constituency, during the October 13 byelections, today wrapped up its probe and is likely to submit a report shortly.

The team led by the Secretary in the Election Commission, Tapas Kumar, met members of the different political parties and their candidates, including those of the Samajwadi Party and also visited the villages and polling centres from where complaints of rigging had been received, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer, Vijay Sharma, said here. He said the team was likely to submit its report soon.

The team visited the government strong room where electronic voting machines had been kept in custody and checked the records to verify the complaints that SP supporters put in their thumb impression and signatures to cast bogus votes, Mr. Sharma said.

PTI