Prashant Kishor files EC complaint over Bankipur bypoll

NEW DELHI: Jan Suraaj founder and Bankipur bypoll candidate Prashant Kishor on Sunday alleged that police powers were misused during polling in the Bihar assembly by-election and claimed that voters were intimidated. He said his party has lodged complaints with the Election Commission and police observers. The allegations come after Kishor submitted a formal complaint to the Bihar Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), seeking an inquiry into the role of Patna SSP Kartikeya K Sharma and other police officials during polling in the Bankipur by-election. Speaking to reporters, Kishor said, "Police powers are being misused. The SSP tried to influence the polls and threaten voters. We have lodged complaints with the Election Commission and police observers." On Saturday, Kishor led a Jan Suraaj delegation to the CEO's office and submitted a memorandum alleging irregularities during polling. He claimed several party workers were detained without valid grounds and accused the police of acting in a 'one-sided' manner during the election. According to Kishor, documentary evidence supporting the allegations was also submitted to the Election Commission. He said the CEO assured the delegation that the complaints would be examined. The Bankipur bypoll was necessitated after BJP leader and current party president Nitin Nabin vacated the seat following his election to the Rajya Sabha. The constituency, considered a BJP stronghold for over three decades, witnessed a three-cornered contest between BJP's Neeraj Kumar Sinha, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor and RJD's Rekha Gupta.

Polling recorded a voter turnout of 34.3 per cent, with counting of votes scheduled for August 3. During campaigning and on polling day, both Jan Suraaj and the RJD accused the BJP and the state administration of influencing the electoral process, while the BJP rejected the allegations and accused Jan Suraaj workers of attempting to cast fake votes.