Man shows off that he voted for TRS, nabbed

Hyderabad:A youngster from the city was booked for taking a picture while casting his vote and posting it on social media.  The pictures went viral during the early hours of polling at Upparpally polling booth in Rajendranagar Assembly constituency on Friday. Mr K. Shiva Goud had posted a picture of his voting for the TRS.

Deputy tahsildar Saleem, who was the booth officer, got to know about this and lodged a complaint with the Rajendranagar police.

Rajendranagar inspector G. Suresh said, “Based on a complaint from the deputy tahsildar, we registered a case against Mr Gpud under IPC Section 188. He was taken into custody and served notices under Section 41 of the CrPC, seeking an explanation for indulging in the violation. Further action will be taken after receiving his reply.”

In another incident, the Alwal police detained Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha vice-president T.M. Sai Kumar at a polling station in Malkajgiri constituency after he was found making derogatory comments against a TRS leader. Alwal inspector M. Mathaiah said, “He posted some messages against the leader of a political party on social media. He was taken into preventive custody.”

It is learned that two more incidents of voters taking selfies inside polling stations were spread on social media at Uppal and Sanathnagar.  These were noted by CEO Rajat Kumar, who ordered an inquiry.

Several videos of TRS leader K.T. Rama Rao taking selfies with  fellow voters at a polling booth in Banjara Hills went viral. Government officials on election duty also took out their mobile phones and clicked selfies with the minister.

Speaking to this paper, additional director general (law and order) Jitender said “The incident does not come under a violation. Anybody can take a selfie but the secrecy of the ballot should not be affected.”