Shillong, Feb 18: A person from East Garo Hills was arrested for stating in a video that pressing a button on EVM results in a vote for BJP.
The chief electoral officer (CEO) FR Kharkongor said on Saturday that the man identified as Bolong R Sangma, a resident of Dambo Mrok, Rongjeng, was arrested after the returning officer of the Rongjeng assembly constituency filed a complaint.
He said a case has been registered under Rongjeng PS Case No 4(2)2023, U/S 171G IPC.
Sangma, had on February 16 shared the clip, alleging that EVMs were manipulated.
In the complaint to the SP of East Garo Hills, the returning officer had said in the video clip circulated on the evening of February 16, Sangma had alleged that the EVMs to be used in the Assembly election have been manipulated and that any vote that is cast will go to the BJP candidate.
“The speech has created fear, and mistrust in the system in the minds of the people and is completely false and misleading and tantamounts to luring of voters, the RO said.
He had sought action against the offender under the relevant sections of law for inciting suspicion and falsely implicating the state election machinery as well as tarnishing the image of the Election Commission of India.
