Osmanabad LS poll: 12 booked for recording voting process

Twelve people have been booked for allegedly using mobile phones to record themselves while casting votes for the Osmanabad Lok Sabha poll which was held on April 18, police said Friday.

The Election Commission, meanwhile, appealed to people to not carry mobile phones or such recording devices to the poll booth as it violates the principle of secret ballot.

As per Election Commission guidelines, voters are not allowed to carry their mobile phones within a 100-metre radius of polling stations on the day of voting.

Speaking to PTI, additional chief electoral officer Dilip Shinde said carrying mobile phones or any other digital device that can record the act is strictly prohibited.

"Any violation of these guidelines will be dealt with strictly and we will take all efforts to maintain the sanctity of secrecy of ballot," Shinde said.

Following instructions from the EC, Osmanabad police started an inquiry and booked 12 persons though no arrests have been made, district superintendent of police A Raja told PTI Friday.