Row Erupts In Madhya Pradesh After Postal Ballots Video Goes Viral

The Madhya Pradesh Congress has alleged that officials in Balaghat”s administration prematurely opened postal ballots before the scheduled counting on December 3. Kamal Nath, the State Congress chief, shared a video on X (formerly Twitter), revealing the early opening of postal ballots in the Balaghat district. In response, Kamal Nath stated that the Congress has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, expressing concerns about potential tampering.

Kamal Nath emphasized the seriousness of the matter and called for immediate action against the culprits. He appealed to Congress workers to remain vigilant and prevent any disturbances, according to a Hindi post by the former chief minister.

“Dr. Girish Mishra, Collector of Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh, today on 27th November, got the strong room opened and the boxes of postal ballots were opened without informing the candidates. Shivraj government that is counting the last breaths and the collectors engrossed in blind devotion to the government are a big threat to democracy. Every Congress worker should remain alert and alert,” Madhya Pradesh Congress said in a post.

निर्वाचन को कलंकित करते बालाघाट कलेक्टर

मध्यप्रदेश के बालाघाट जिले के कलेक्टर डॉ. गिरीश मिश्रा ने आज 27 नवंबर को ही स्ट्रांग रूम खुलवाकर बिना अभ्यर्थियों को सूचना दिए डाक मतपत्रों की पेटियां खोल दी है।

अंतिम साँसें गिनती शिवराज सरकार और सरकार की अंधभक्ति में लीन कलेक्टर… pic.twitter.com/I1UrKmHK5B

— MP Congress (@INCMP) November 27, 2023

NDTV reported as sources saying that the Divisional commissioner has suspended the nodal officer of postal ballots in Balaghat.

Following the controversy, local magistrate Gopal Soni informed reporters that sorting ETPBS (Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System) is a routine procedure.

He explained that the process is conducted under CCTV cameras, with guards at the door. He stated that a room at the local tehsil office serves as the strong room for postal ballots. Not only are the postal ballots of Balaghat assembly seats stored there under CCTV surveillance, but those of the other five assembly segments of Balaghat district are also kept there. Gopal Soni clarified that the strong room was opened in the presence of all political parties” representatives, and the postal ballots were sorted based on individual assembly seats before being arranged in bundles of 50. The entire process, he emphasized, was carried out in the presence of representatives from every party.

बालाघाट कलेक्टर व जिला निर्वाचन अधिकारी ड़ॉ.गिरीश कुमार मिश्रा ने डाक मत पत्र मामलें में वायरल वीडियो की वस्तुस्थिति बताते हुए कहा कि डाक मत्र पत्रों की गिनती नही की गई है। स्ट्रॉग रूम खोलने का कारण इटीपीबीएस की शॉर्टिंग करना था। pic.twitter.com/BGCuvYLy5Z

— Collector Balaghat (@collectorbalagh) November 27, 2023

Congress is expecting to return to power in the state after a high octane campaign that concentrated on joblessness, corruption and agrarian distress.