Top News

Election – The Maharashtra State Election Commission has taken disciplinary action after a minor was allowed inside a polling compartment during the recent Zilla Parishad elections in Solapur district.

The commission ordered the suspension of a polling officer and a police constable after a video surfaced online showing a teenage boy inside a voting booth with his father, who was contesting the local body election.

Video From Solapur Booth Draws Scrutiny

The controversy began when a video clip circulated widely on social media platforms last week. The footage, reportedly recorded at the Yashwant Nagar polling station in Akluj, showed a 14-year-old boy entering the polling compartment alongside his father during voting held on February 7 for the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections.

In the video, the boy is seen standing next to his father, identified as Nationalist Congress Party (SP) candidate Arjun Sinh Mohite Patil, while an electronic voting machine was being operated. The clip raised concerns over whether election protocols were followed at the booth.

Under established election guidelines, only authorized voters are permitted inside the polling compartment. The presence of an unauthorized person, particularly a minor, is considered a violation of voting procedures designed to ensure secrecy and integrity of the ballot.

Election Commission Cites Violation of Rules

In a letter issued on February 10 to the Solapur district collector, the State Election Commission stated that allowing a child to enter the voting compartment amounted to a clear breach of election regulations. The commission emphasized that polling officials are responsible for maintaining strict adherence to rules at all times during the voting process.

According to a preliminary assessment conducted by the commission, there was negligence in duty on the part of polling officer Anna Savata Budhe and police constable Gajanan Sitaram Rajut, both of whom were assigned to the Yashwant Nagar polling station on the day of voting.

The commission noted that booth-level staff and security personnel are expected to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering restricted areas within polling stations. Any lapse in this regard undermines public confidence in the electoral system.

Immediate Suspension and Disciplinary Steps

Following its initial findings, the commission ordered the immediate suspension of both the polling officer and the constable. It also directed that departmental disciplinary proceedings be initiated against them in accordance with service rules.

The district administration has been instructed to submit a detailed compliance report at the earliest, outlining the action taken and measures adopted to prevent similar incidents in future elections.

Officials familiar with the matter indicated that the commission is treating the case seriously, given the importance of maintaining transparency and procedural correctness during local body polls.

FIR Registered Against Candidate

In addition to the administrative action against election staff, an FIR has been registered in connection with the incident. The case names candidate Arjun Sinh Mohite Patil in relation to the alleged violation captured in the video.

The State Election Commission has asked the district collector to provide a factual report on the progress of the case and any subsequent legal steps taken. Authorities are expected to review the available evidence and proceed in accordance with applicable laws.

The incident has once again highlighted the sensitivity of polling procedures, especially in grassroots elections such as those for Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis. Election authorities maintain that strict enforcement of rules is essential to safeguard the credibility of the democratic process.

As the inquiry continues, officials have reiterated that all stakeholders — including candidates, polling staff and security personnel — are bound by the same regulations during elections.