BJP leader's minor son casts vote in Bhopal, sparks row
What's the story
A video allegedly showing a minor casting a vote during the Lok Sabha election in Berasia, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh has ignited controversy.
The minor is reportedly the son of Vinay Mehar, a local panchayat leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The footage, purportedly filmed by Mehar himself, shows the young boy accompanying his father into the voting booth and using the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to cast a vote.
Online exposure
Video posted on social media raises questions
The 14-second video was reportedly posted on Mehar's Facebook page, showing both father and son inside the booth pressing a button on the EVM linked to the BJP's lotus symbol.
The camera then captures the vote being registered by the VVPAT machine.
After this, Mehar can be heard saying, "Ok...That is enough now."
This incident has raised questions about how a mobile phone was allowed into the polling booth and why a child was permitted to accompany his father inside.
Political response
Opposition criticizes incident, calls for action
The video was flagged by Piyush Babele, media advisor to Congress leader Kamal Nath.
Babele criticized the BJP's actions stating, "BJP has turned the Election Commission into a child's plaything. In Bhopal, BJP's district panchayat member Vinay Mehar got his minor son to cast his vote."
He further questioned if any action would be taken against this apparent violation.
The Election Commission of India has not yet commented on this incident.
Official response
Investigation ordered into alleged underage voting
District officials have acknowledged the viral video.
District Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh has ordered an investigation into this matter and assured that action will be taken against any persons involved, including the presiding officer at the polling booth.
The alleged underage voting took place in Berasia Assembly segment, a constituency reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates.
This segment is one of eight that make up the Bhopal Lok Sabha seat, currently held by BJP's Pragya Thakur.