People's Democracy

‘BJP Attempted To Rig Dumka Polls’

ON June 1, the Jharkhand states units of the Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemned the administration-sponsored large-scale rigging of Dumka Lok Sabha by-election in favour of the BJP on May 31, at the instance of chief minister Babulal Marandi. It was a repeat performance of the rigged Ramgarh byelection. In the process, democratic right of the people was subverted by the ruling party with the help of the administration and armed goons.

Escorted by the police, BJP ministers, MLAs and armed goons freely moved in four- and two-wheelers in different parts of the constituency, freely entered and captured the election booths and rigged the election. Genuine voters were not allowed to enter the election booths at many places without the photo-identity cards even though less than ten per cent voters were issued identity cards as per official records. Polling officers directed the ignorant voters, particularly the women, to press the EVM buttons in favour of the BJP.

There were also widespread apprehension about change of electronic voting machines (EVMs) while transporting them to the strong room; to ensure the BJP’s victory.

Hence the two parties appealed to the Election Commission to intervene.

(Eventually, the BJP lost this bypoll despite all its antics – Ed.)