Shillong, Apr 20: BJYM president Mewaker Lyngdoh, who is a lawyer by profession, is under the scrutiny of the election machinery for posting his photo wearing a BJP scarf on the premises of a polling station in the city while voting was in progress.
“Celebrating the festival of Democracy…I vote for the NDA alliance! I vote for a Viksit Bharat (Developed India)! I vote for sure!”, he wrote on his social media handle also posting his picture shown standing infront of the polling station at St Rose Secondary School, Umpling.
When contacted, the returning officer for Shillong seat, SC Sadhu said he is checking the matter.
Section 130 of the Representation of the People Act 1951 states about prohibition of canvassing in or near polling stations.
“(1) No person shall, on the date or dates on which a poll is taken at any polling station, commit any of the following acts within the polling station or in any public or private place within a distance of one hundred metres of the polling station,namely:—
(a) canvassing for votes; or
(b) soliciting the vote of any elector, or
(c) persuading any elector not to vote for any particular candidate; or
(d) persuading any elector not to vote at the election; or
(e) exhibiting any notice or sign (other than an official notice) relating to the election.
(2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be punishable with fine which
may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees.
(3) An offence punishable under this section shall be cognizable”
