Mohali witnessed high drama during the municipal corporation elections on Tuesday after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged tampering with a ballot box seal at booth number 134 in ward 36, leading to an official investigation.
BJP Complaint and Allegations
BJP candidate and district president Sanjeev Vashisht lodged a complaint, also recording a video at the polling station located in a school in Sector 70. The party alleged irregularities in the sealing of the ballot box and raised objections over the polling process. BJP leaders stated that the issue emerged when their candidate at the booth noticed suspected discrepancies in the sealing and alerted senior party functionaries. Vashisht later arrived at the spot with party workers and inspected the ballot box. He claimed that the seal had been tampered with and submitted a complaint to the district election officer, additionally accusing the state government of misusing the administrative machinery.
Official Response and Inspection
Following the complaint, Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Komal Mittal directed the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and the area Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to visit the booth and verify the claims. Senior officials inspected the polling station and examined the sealing process in the presence of polling agents. Clarifying the administration's stance, Mittal stated that the ballot box seal had not been broken; only the tags were found to be loose. She added that the tags were tightened and the sealing process was completed again in the presence of polling agents, who signed the report. The Deputy Commissioner further noted that the issue was resolved on the spot and polling continued peacefully thereafter.
