In what appears to be a violation of the model code of conduct, food packets labelled ‘Namo’ were reported to have been seen inside polling booths in Gautam Buddha Nagar constituency, Uttar Pradesh on the first day of voting.
Several people posted pictures and videos of the packets being carried inside the booths. In one video, the food packets can be seen piled up inside a police car.
#NaMo food packets being taken inside a polling booth by @sspnoida. This food is being taken inside 15 A booth of Noida @ECISVEEP ##GautamBudhNagar constituency #UP #Noida #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/wbN8RCuolK
— Kirandeep Bhatia (@raydeep) April 11, 2019
One person tweeted a picture of the packets being taken out by a police official.
https://twitter.com/ravsbaws/status/1116199608789737473
The packets were seen in Noida sector 15 polling booth, reported Times Now. Union Minister Mahesh Sharma is the sitting MP from Gautam Buddha Nagar. NewsCentral24x7 has not been able to independently verify the video and the pictures.
Polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls began on April 11.
Update: Noida SSP issued a ‘clarification’ saying the food packets have been procured from ‘Namo Food Shop’ and have not been distributed by a political party. Reportedly, when contacted by a journalist, Gautam Buddha Nagar DM said that there was “no need” to inquire into the matter. Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer has reportedly sought a report from the DM regarding the food packets. Read here.
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