Election Commission cancels Mulayam Singh Yadav's presidential vote

New Delhi, July 20 (ANI): The Election Commission (EC) on Friday rejected Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's vote in the July 19 presidential poll and directed the Returning Officer (RO) not to include it the secret ballot count of July 22.

"The issue of second ballot paper to Mulayam Singh Yadav was not warranted under Rule 15 of the Presidential and Vice- Presidential Elections Rules, 1974. Therefore, the second ballot paper issued to Yadav may not be taken up for counting," the Election Commission said.

Yadav, who has been a staunch Pranab Mukherjee supporter in the run-up to the presidential poll, inadvertently voted for Mukherjee's rival P. Sangma on Thursady.

Realising the faux pas, Yadav tore the ballot paper and sought a fresh one from the polling officer.

The SP chief then marked his correct preference on the fresh ballot paper. The ballot paper carrying the incorrect entry made by Yadav was deposited with the polling officer, sources said.

Sangma's authorised representative Satya Pal Jain lodged a complaint with Returning Officer V K Agnihotri, and sought cancellation of the second ballot paper issued to Yadav, following which, Agnihotri took up the mater with the Election Commission. (ANI)