The former Chhattisgarh chief minister, while addressing tribals said, people will get “an electric shock” from EVMs if they press any button other than that of Congress

Returning officer of Kunkuri Assembly constituency in Chhattisgarh has served a notice on senior Congress leader and former chief minister Ajit Jogi for allegedly violating the poll code by misleading tribal voters over functioning of EVMs when they cast their vote.

BJP had filed a complaint against Mr. Jogi in this regard.

According to election officials, addressing a public meeting in Kunkuri constituency of Jashpur district on November 11, Mr. Jogi had said people will suffer an electric shock if they press buttons on EVMs, other than that of the Congress candidate in the fray, while exercising their franchise.

BJP has accused Mr. Jogi of threatening the electorate to vote in favour of the Congress candidate contesting from the seat by making the remarks, said Collector and District Election Officer L.S. Ken.

“BJP in its complaint stated that while addressing people, Mr. Jogi asked them to press the button bearing p unja chhap (the Congress symbol of hand) on EVMs. He told them that they will receive an electric shock if they press buttons next to other symbols on EVMs except that of Congress,” the collector added.

The notice was issued to Mr. Jogi on Tuesday by Returning Officer BP Mourya after verifying the videography of the programme, seeking his reply in this connection, Ken said.

He said future course of action would depend upon Mr. Jogi’s reply.

Kunkuri seat will be going to polls in the second and final phase on November 19.