In the most sensational fashion, the Telangana State Election Commission gave some overnight orders about the counting process that raised severe criticism among the opposition circles. An unexpected turn of events took place in the Greater elections that too two days after the polling ended.
A few hours before the counting of votes of GHMC, the Telangana SEC passed some order during the late night hours. Going into what is in these orders – The Election Commission has clarified that the ballot papers of the Greater Elections shall be counted valid not only the ones that are stamped with the swastika mark but also with the relevant polling station.
When asked why..? – They are saying that it was a mistake made by the polling staff. The stamp to be given to the voters to cast their vote during the polling will be on the swastika. Instead the stamp indicating the number of the polling station was found to have been given by the polling staff to the voters.
After the polling staff told their superiors about the mistake they had made, the SEC decided for instant adaptation. However, the issuance of orders in the middle of the night has become a matter of controversy. Opposition groups called for a boycott. “If you want to make key decisions about such mistakes, it would be good to consult everyone,” the opposition parties say. They are also alleging that this whole thing is a conspiracy and termed it as a hurried decision.
There is yet another question. It has been 2 days since the polling took place and what they had done all this time? What happened to yesterday’s day time? The opinion is being expressed that the Election Commission has given rise to new doubts with the orders issued in the middle of the night. Opposition parties have approached the High Court over this. The High Court issued an interim order quashing those orders by the SEC.