Voting gets late, courtesy drunk poll officer

Gurminder Singh Grewal

Machhiwara, September 19

Election process could not be started on time as a poll official was found drunk at Udhowal Kalan village near here. Another official was deputed and polling started about 15 minutes late.

A lecturer of a nearby school was deputed at the polling station in this village as presiding officer. He reached the polling booth on Tuesday evening. During the night, he got drunk and even had some problem with his colleagues.

In the morning, while he was taking a bath, he slipped in the bathroom. When a policeman came for his help, he allegedly misbehaved with him. While voting was to start at 8 am, he was still busy with some arrangements. People present there informed the Returning Officer who immediately sent another officer.