Ballot paper goof-up in MLC polls forces fresh election

​Hyderabad: Following a major goof up in the ballot paper wherein the photographs of the candidates Papannagari Manik Reddy and Adi Lakshmaiah got interchanged, the Election Commission on Thursday ordered re-election on March 19. Adi Lakshmaiah’s name was printed at No. 3 with Manik Reddy’s photo and Lakshmaiah’s photo was printed against Manik Reddy’s name at serial No. 9.

The goof up was noticed minutes after the polling began by the polling agent of Manik Reddy who informed the returning officer and also the candidate.

Manik Reddy immediately called Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal and lodged a complaint. The UTF representatives also met the CEO and submitted a written complaint and demanded that the election process be stopped and a fresh election be ordered as it could affect the poll prospects of the candidate. Lakshmaiah also said that he had also lodged a complaint with the CEO.

Later at a press conference, CEO Bhanwarlal displaying the first proof of the ballot paper that was sent to him by the printing press at Cherlapally told The Hans India that everything was in order. He said after making certain minor corrections like spellings of the candidate’s name, it was sent back to the printing press.

As per the procedure, the press had sent them the second proof and the officials checked whether the corrections made in the first proof have been carried properly or not and sent it for final printing.

“How the jumbling took place will be probed and action against those responsible will be taken,” he said. The CEO further said that he had sent a report to the Election Commission.

After taking clarification from the Election Commission, Bhanwarlal announced that the election has been cancelled and fresh polling in all the polling stations would be held on March 19.

When asked to comment on the scheduled Intermediate examinations, he said it was for the state government to take a call on it. As far as the EC is concerned, the re-election will be held on March 19.

Meanwhile, Manik Reddy and UTF members staged a demonstration at Ambedkar Statue near Tank Bund demanding fresh elections. Similar protests were held at Mushirabad and Saroornagar polling stations.

The police later arrested Manik Reddy and Chava Ravi, state secretary UTF and released them.Sources said that such mistakes do not happen in normal course. It could have been some deliberate act by some persons at the printing press level. Chava Ravi alleged that the government was responsible for the goof up fearing defeat of the official TRS candidate.

TRS chief whip in Legislative Council Paturi Sudhakar Reddy, who is also a PRTU leader, felt that mix up of photo should not be an issue as the voters are mostly from teaching community and are educated.