Vikarabad Collector suspended

​Hyderabad:  On the instructions of the Election Commission of India, the Telangana government on Saturday suspended Vikarabad Collector Omer Jaleel from services for unauthorized opening of strong room of the EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) and VVPATs (Voter verifiable Paper Audit Trail). Rangareddy Collector Lokesh has been appointed in-charge Collector of Vikarabad district.  

Perhaps, for first time in the history of India’s electoral system, the Election Commission directed a state government for the suspension of an IAS officer for indulging in malpractices in the election process.Based on the report submitted by the state Chief Electoral Officer, the Commission confirmed that the IAS officer, who is also the District Election Officer, cleared the poll data of three control units of EVMs violating the EC rules and also court directions. 

Under rule 94 (aa) of the conduct of the election rules, 1961, the Commission said it had already directed that every voting machine used in the just-concluded Assembly elections and kept in the custody of the District Election Officer shall be untouched under the standard protocol of security till confirmation of the election petition positions from the High Court concerned after the completion of the period for filing election petition, ie, 45 days from the date of declaration of the result.  

In an official communication to State Chief Secretary SK Joshi, the Commission said: “The unauthorised opening of EVM warehouse and clearing of poll data from some EVMs of an Assembly constituency which is under Collector Omer Jalil is a clear and egregious violation of the extant rules and instructions of the EC.”  

The statement said that the official has not merely acted in contravention of the Commission’s instructions but also through his reckless and irresponsible action exposed the credibility and integrity of the elections.   Taking a serious view of the non–compliance of extant instructions, the Commission asked the Chief Secretary to place the official under suspension and initiate disciplinary proceedings. The state government was also asked to send the copy of the chargesheet issued to the official to the Commission within seven days from the receipt of the letter.