From Sanjay Borkar in Margao
for Daijiworld Media Network - Goa
Margao, Jun 2: As Congress candidate from Shiroda constituency Subhash Shirodkar was allegedly found inside the polling booth 21 and 22 in Shiroda bazar for long hours, indulging in voter impersonation voters, South Goa collector Santosh Vaidya has sought a report from returning officers about the case to consider taking action against him.
On June 2, when polling was going on in smooth and fair manner, Shirodkar, elected 5 times from this constituency, was allegedly found impersonating voters inside the polling booth. But no action was taken against him by the presiding officer or by observers.
When some of reporters spotted the malpractice as they had entered the booth to ask for the polling percentage, they also wanted to know from the presiding officer how Shirodkar was allowed for long hours inside the booth. The official in reply said that he (Shirodkar) was solving a problem of the Election Photo Identity Card.
When the reporters again queried as to how a candidate was allowed inside the booth for long hours and how he ccould solve the problems ofthe EPIC when there were polling officers competent to handle the situation, the official had no answer.
At the same time an election agent of another party stood up and insisted that Shirodkar leave the booth. He asked him (Shirodkar) why he was staying inside the polling booth where he should not be, a baffled Shirodkar replied that he was there only to ensure no communal problems would arise.
When the election agent again asked how the communal problem would arise in the polling booth and in what capacity he could take care of it, Shirodkar could not reply and he instead left booth 21 and walked across to booth 22.
In this regard, when the collector was queried about the action he intended to take in the matter, he replied he would ask for a report from the returning officers. He added that if he (Shirodkar) was found guilty, the election commission would definitely take action against him.