AURANGABAD: The photograph of

,

candidate from Aurangabad Central constituency, in the

appearing on the

during voting on Monday has stoked a controversy.

The Election Commission rules do not allow any type of cap or dark sunglasses in the candidates’ photos, which should not be three months old, while filing the poll affidavit.

While the photos on the EVM of other Muslim candidates contesting from Aurangabad Central are as per the norm, opponents have cried foul over an alleged objectionable photo of the NCP candidate.

leader Raju Vaidya accused Qadeer Maulana of trying to influence voters in the name of religion. “The rules framed by the EC are sacrosanct and aim at conducting elections in a fair manner. The NCP candidate wearing the skull cap in the photo on the EVM is a gross violation of the laid down norms.”

Aurangabad district president of NCP, Kailas Patil, said the returning officer of Aurangabad Central constituency approved the photos submitted by the candidate and, hence, the allegations by the rivals assume no significance.

“The opponents are raising a hue and cry over a non-issue. They are free to lodge a complaint with the competent authorities,” he said.

Abdul Qadeer Maulana, who was the state vice-president of NCP, could not be reached for comment.

MIM candidate Siddiqui also defended Abdul Qadeer Maulana. “He (Maulana) follows his religion and did not violate any rules.”

Dyanoba Banapure, returning officer for Aurangabad Central, could not be reached for comment despite several attempts, as he was busy with overseeing the polling process.

In order to facilitate electors in identifying the candidates, the EC has prescribed an additional measure by way of adding a provision for printing the photograph of candidate also on the paper to be displayed on the EVM (ballot unit) and on postal ballot papers.

The EC move on having photos on the EVM aims at avoiding confusion that may arise when candidates with the same or similar names contest from the same constituency.

Of the total of 14 candidates in fray from Aurangabad Central, six are Muslim — Naser Siddiqui of MIM, Latif Khan, Anwar Ali, Ayyub Khan and Moinuddin Farooqui, all independents, besides Abdul Qadeer Maulana.