mangalore today

Mangaluru : Candidates ’hi jack’ ballot papers, arrested


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 30, 2015: Two candidates contesting from the Ulaibettu Gram Panchayat were arrested on May 29, Friday for allegedly hi-jacking ballot papers and  obstructing  conduct of elections.

arrested_The Mangaluru Rural Police said Abdul Razak (32) and another candidate Vittal Ameen (61) entered the polling booth in Permanki where some persons were in the queue waiting to caste their vote. The two candidates asked polling officer Clement Pramila Salins to show them ballot papers around 11 a.m.

While seeing the ballot papers, the two candidates raised objection to impression on the front side of ballot paper of the seal on the rear side. After heated arguments with the officer, the two candidates moved out the polling booth taking away the ballot book. The officer raised an alarm that led the police stationed at the booth to chase the duo who were on a  two-wheeler.

The police said Abdul Razak was supported by the Social Democratic Party of India while Vittal Ameen had support of the Congress. Both candidates were arrested for offences under the Indian Penal Code and also under the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act. After being produced before the jurisdictional magistrate, Razak was remanded to judicial custody while Ameen was released on bail.