Maharashtra Election Controversy: Shiv Sena MLA Charged for Violating Voting Privacy in Hingoli Polling Booth

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A criminal case has been registered against Shiv Sena legislator Santosh Bangar in Maharashtra's Hingoli district for allegedly raising slogans and violating voting privacy by displaying party election symbol to a female voter during Tuesday's local body elections, according to police officials.

A video emerged on social media platforms earlier in the day allegedly showing Bangar, whose party belongs to the governing Mahayuti coalition, entering a voting station while a woman was in the process of casting her ballot during Hingoli district elections. The footage appeared to show the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) looking into the private voting area while the woman was voting.

Following the video's widespread circulation, the Election Commission requested a detailed report from polling officials who were on duty at the concerned voting station.

Video: Sena MLA Enters Poll Booth, Shows Party Symbol To Woman Casting Vote pic.twitter.com/3NphoGGZnu

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Subsequently, authorities filed charges against Bangar at Hingoli city police station for allegedly engaging in sloganeering, showing an electoral symbol to a woman during voting, and breaching voting confidentiality regulations, the official confirmed.

The charges were filed under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita section 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and section 128 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (maintenance of secrecy of voting), the official added.

On Tuesday, electoral proceedings took place across 264 municipal councils and nagar panchayats in the initial phase of local government elections in the state, with 6,042 council seats and 264 municipal council president positions being contested.

In a statement to journalists, an election official earlier noted, "I have reviewed the video footage. However, it appears incomplete. I have instructed officials present at the polling station to prepare and submit a comprehensive report regarding this incident." Reports indicate that a relative of Bangar was contesting in the Hingoli Municipal Council elections.