The Election Commission of India has granted permission to the former Union minister and convicted Lok Sabha member Sibu Soren to cast his vote in the ensuing presidential elections scheduled to be held on July 19.
According to sources, the commission has also allowed Soren to cast his vote at Jharkhand assembly booth instead of original polling booth in New Delhi. The permission came in the wake of a petition filed by Soren with the Election Commission of India on July. “Since Soren is still the member of the parliament, he is a member of the electoral college for the presidential elections as per the laid down rule. Hence he can cast his votes if the court concerned gives him the permission to go outside the jail for the same,” said an official.
Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief has filed a petition in the Jamtara court seeking permission to exercise his franchise in presidential elections on July 19 at Jharkhand Assembly booth in Ranchi.