Tumkur: Serious allegations of electoral malpractice have rocked the election to the Santemavatturu Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society in Kunigal taluk,in Tumakur district with BJP-JDS leaders accusing Congress supporters of attempting to manipulate the voting process using fake ballot papers. The controversy escalated into a major protest, forcing authorities to cancel the election and postpone it indefinitely.
The election for the post of Directors of the Santemavattur Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society in Kasaba Hobli was being held at the Government Lower Primary School in the area on Saturday Voting had begun at around 9 am and was scheduled to continue until 4 pm, with representatives from different political camps monitoring the process.
According to election arrangements, Bala Naik had been appointed as the election agent for NDA-backed candidates, while Shivakumar served as the election agent representing Congress-supported candidates. The polling reportedly proceeded smoothly during the morning hours as members of the cooperative society arrived to cast their votes.
However, tension erupted in the afternoon when BJP-JDS representatives alleged that large-scale irregularities were taking place inside the polling booth. According to witnesses, Shivakumar and another Congress supporter identified as Krishna were allegedly seen holding a bundle of fake ballot papers.
BJP-JDS workers claimed that the two individuals attempted to insert more than 100 to 150 fake ballot papers into the ballot box in an attempt to tilt the results in favour of the Congress-backed candidate. The alleged malpractice was reportedly caught red-handed by BJP-JDS election agent Bala Naik and other polling representatives.
As soon as the irregularity was noticed, BJP-JDS workers shouted that fake voting was taking place inside the booth. Realising that they had been caught, the individuals allegedly threw away the fake ballot papers and fled from the spot, triggering chaos at the polling station.
The situation soon turned volatile as angry BJP-JDS workers accused the election officials of failing to maintain transparency in the process. The returning officer Sunil came under severe criticism, with protesters alleging that the election administration had allowed such irregularities to occur.
As tempers flared, a large number of BJP-JDS supporters gathered near the polling booth and began raising slogans against the election officer and the Congress party. Protesters demanded immediate action and insisted that the entire election process be cancelled.
Police personnel stationed at the polling centre tried to prevent the crowd from entering the booth area. However, several activists attempted to storm the polling station, alleging that illegal voting was being carried out. This led to a heated exchange between the police and the activists, resulting in pushing and shoving between the two sides.
During the commotion, the returning officer Sunil was taken into custody and handed over to the police for questioning regarding the alleged irregularities in the polling process. Considering the tense situation and the serious allegations raised by the protesters, authorities decided to cancel the election.
As news of the incident spread, several senior BJP-JDS leaders rushed to the spot. Among those who reached the polling centre were DCC Bank Director Shivanna, BJP leader D. Krishnakumar, Taluk JDS President B.N. Jagadish, former Taluk BJP President K.S. Balaram and former municipal council member Anand Kumar.
Addressing the protesters, the leaders strongly condemned the alleged malpractice and accused Congress supporters of trying to manipulate the democratic process. They demanded a thorough investigation into the incident and strict action against those involved in the alleged fake voting attempt.
BJP leaders alleged that Congress has been opposing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) across the country while simultaneously encouraging malpractices in ballot-based elections wherever possible.
According to BJP leaders, the alleged attempt to insert fake ballot papers during the cooperative society election exposed the “double standards” of the Congress party on electoral transparency. They claimed that such incidents show why the party continues to question EVMs while relying on traditional ballot systems where manipulation is easier.
