Ink row: EC seeks action against Haryana Assembly secretary

The Election Commission (EC) has recommended “strong disciplinary action” against the Haryana Assembly secretary, and ordered an FIR against “unknown persons”, more than three months after allegations of foul play marred the Rajya Sabha election in the state.

The EC’s “unprecedented” action against RK Nandal — also the returning officer for the election held in June — will however not affect the poll result. BJP-supported independent candidate Subhash Chandra had defeated Congress-backed R.K. Anand. A row had erupted after the votes of 12 MLAs of the Congress and allies were declared invalid as a pen other than the one officially supplied was used for marking preferences.

The EC held Mr Nandal guilty of “concealment of material facts” and “willful non-compliance” of its lawful directions, and said the proceedings against him should be completed within a period of six months.

“This is a serious case of lack of supervisory control and negligence in performance of duty that an unauthorised pen was found inside the voting compartment and another unauthorised pen was surreptitiously used for marking ballot papers which led to rejection of 12 ballot papers,” the Election Commission said.

In a letter to the state chief electoral officer, the Election Commission said that an FIR under various sections of IPC and the Representation of the People Act be registered against unknown persons.