EC orders further probe to see if Rahul violated poll law

Amid BJP's criticism, the Election Commission today ordered further probe to ascertain whether Rahul Gandhi violated electoral law by entering the EVM area of polling booths during balloting in his constituency Amethi on Wednesday.

The Commission is expecting a report by Monday and could consider the issue the same day.

After a marathon meeting here this evening, the Election Commission decided to order further investigation by senior officials attached with the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh before taking any decision, an EC official told PTI.

"The matter will be processed after receipt of the report," he said. Election Commissioner H S Brahma earlier today said the poll body is taking a decision and "not trying to avoid" it.

"We are not trying to avoid...the information is coming from 4-5 places. I can tell you honestly that we will take a decision...We have sought for information on this. It either must have come or may be on the way," he said.

Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath had told reporters yesterday that "it is a matter of fact (that Rahul was) seeing the EVM in a polling station." Sampath had said this particular instance will be examined vis-a-vis the law (Representation of the People Act).

BJP had alleged that while the EC was quick to order filing an FIR against its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for violating the electoral laws, it has not taken a decision on Gandhi.