Indian Army orders probe after Leh DC suspects rigging in military postal ballots

Deputy Commissioner received complaint that commanding officers were asking jawans for their voting preferences. Army’s preliminary probe says allegations are baseless.

A security personnel stands guard outside a room where Electronic Voting Machines (EVM's) are kept after the voting. | PTI

New Delhi: The Indian Army has initiated a probe by a Major General-rank officer after the Deputy Commissioner of Leh wrote to it about alleged rigging in the system of postal ballots.

Avny Lavasa, the DC and district election officer for Leh, said a complaint had been received that commanding officers were allegedly indulging in malpractices by asking their jawans about their voting preferences rather than letting them vote directly.

The Army said a preliminary probe had revealed that the allegations are baseless, and “an attempt is being made to tarnish” its image.

The DC’s letter

In her letter, Lavasa said a complaint was received from a candidate contesting for the Ladakh Parliamentary constituency for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

The letter, addressed to the General Officer Commanding 14 Corps Lieutenant General Y.K. Joshi, noted that the matter is a violation of secrecy of voting, and can invite legal action.

After the letter got leaked, the DC’s office issued a statement saying no specific instances were reported by the complainants, and the Army has been asked to sensitise everyone concerned about the procedures.

The official statement of Avny Lavasa | ThePrint

IAS officer Lavasa is the daughter of Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, a former IAS officer himself. The Leh DC was recently in the news for filing an FIR against BJP leader Vikram Singh Randhawa for allegedly distributing cash to journalists at the city’s press club on 2 May.

Army’s response

The Army said the complaint is being investigated by its Leh Sub-Area General Officer Commanding, who is a Major General-rank officer.

“Some political candidates appear to have complained regarding the postal ballot process to be cast by service personnel. No specific instances have been mentioned in the complaints,” said Col. Rajesh Kalia, the defence spokesperson in Srinagar.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the complaints are unfounded and appear to have been made to tarnish the image of the Army. An in-depth investigation is on to ascertain the details in the most impartial manner. Army remains apolitical and we hold this core value in letter and spirit.”