Media barred from covering BJP candidate casting vote
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 19 2024:
As the state went to the polls for the 18th Lok Sabha 2024 on Friday, a team of media persons was barred from covering polling activities at the home polling station of BJP candidate Thounaojam Basanta Kumar at Utlou Mayai Leikai in Bishnupur district on Friday.
The media team, despite showing authorisation letters issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI), was prohibited from entering the polling station by a lady polling officer and SSB personnel on guard.
Following a commotion, BJP Basanta showed up and asked the polling officer and security personnel to allow the media team stating that it's a conventional practice for the media to cover candidates casting their votes.
After that, the media team was allowed to proceed towards the polling station but was not allowed to cover casting of vote by the candidate as all the doors and windows were shut.
Later, after casting his vote, Basanta told media persons that he will enquire the reason for the refusal of media coverage with the returning officer.