Former minister Kotli staged a protest on Wednesday over allegations of missing votes and booth irregularities during the recent elections. Addressing a gathering of supporters, Kotli claimed that several votes were deliberately omitted from the final count, affecting the outcome in his constituency.
Allegations of Electoral Malpractice
Kotli asserted that the irregularities were not isolated but part of a pattern. He pointed to discrepancies in voter lists and instances where polling agents were denied access to booths. “This is a clear violation of democratic principles,” he said, demanding a re-count of votes in affected areas.
Protest and Demands
The protest saw a large turnout of party workers and local residents. Kotli submitted a memorandum to the district election officer, listing specific booths where irregularities occurred. He called for immediate suspension of officials involved and a high-level inquiry into the matter.
- Missing votes in at least 15 booths
- Discrepancies in voter turnout data
- Reports of intimidation against polling agents
Political Reactions
Opposition parties have expressed solidarity with Kotli, urging the Election Commission to take swift action. Meanwhile, ruling party leaders dismissed the allegations as baseless, accusing Kotli of trying to undermine the electoral process.
The Election Commission has yet to respond formally, but sources indicate that a preliminary review of complaints is underway. Kotli has vowed to escalate the protest if his demands are not met within 48 hours.
