UP elections: FIR against Kanpur Mayor for sharing EVM photos
What's the story
An FIR has been registered against BJP's Kanpur Mayor Pramila Pandey after she took and shared photos of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) inside the polling booth. Pandey also reportedly recorded a video EVM at the Hudson polling station in the city. The FIR was filed under relevant sections for breach of secrecy of voting, Kanpur district magistrate said.
Context
Why does this story matter?
It is illegal to take photos and videos from inside a polling booth. However, such incidents keep coming up during elections. Apart from Pandey, another BJP leader and a Samajwadi Party candidate also shared photos and videos from inside the polling booth. Notably, incidences of taking photos and videos of EVM also emerged during the recently held Uttarakhand Assembly polls.
Incidents
Similar incidents reported from other parts
Nawab Singh, a BJP Yuva Morcha leader, also filmed himself inside the booth while casting his vote. Even though his video went viral, no action has been taken against him so far. In another incident, Samajwadi party candidate Abhimanyu Gupt shared a video of himself voting on Facebook. However, he later deleted the video after knowing about the action taken against Pandey.
UP
Third phase of polling in UP
Voting was held in 59 Assembly seats spread across 16 districts in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. Notably, this is the third phase of polling in the state. In this phase, 627 candidates are in the fray, and over 2.15 crore people are eligible to vote. Assembly elections in UP are being held in seven phases from February 10 to March 7.
Polling
Over 21% voter turnout till 11 am
Polling began at 7 am and till 5 pm, UP recorded a voter turnout of 57.58%. Among the 16 districts, Lalitpur district recorded the highest 67% polling and Kanpur Nagar witnessed the lowest turnout of 50% till 3 pm. Other districts that are witnessing a relatively higher voter turnout in this third phase, include Mainpuri, Firozabad, Mahoba, and Etah.