EC seeks explanation after Paithan Sena MLA Vilas Bhumre votes with minor son

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A controversy broke out during the zilla parishad elections in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Saturday after Paithan's Shiv Sena MLA Vilas Bhumre entered a polling booth with his 10-year-old son, took the child close to the electronic voting machine and allowed indelible ink to be applied to the boy's finger.The incident occurred at a polling station in the Pachod zilla parishad (ZP) group under the Paithan assembly constituency and sparked sharp reactions from voters and opposition party workers, who alleged a violation of Election Commission norms.District collector Deelip Swami confirmed that the Election Commission has sought a detailed explanation. "The incident is serious. A thorough inquiry will be conducted, and responsibility will be fixed. Action will be taken against the presiding officer and the staff member who applied the ink," Swami told reporters.A senior official with the election department said, "Rules clearly prohibit unauthorised persons, including minors, from entering the voting compartment to ensure secrecy of the ballot."In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, elections were being held on Saturday for 63 ZP seats, with polling continuing under tight security. Some seats, including the one where the incident took place, were contested by the relatives of politicians, making the elections important for MLAs and MPs.Bhumre, who was elected from the Paithan assembly seat, is the son of former minister and MP Sandipan Bhumre. The controversy drew further attention as Sandipan Bhumre's nephew Shivraj contested the district council election from the Pachod group.Election officials said a committee would be constituted to probe the incident and submit a report to the Election Commission. Political circles were abuzz with discussions over claims that polling staff allegedly "welcomed" the MLA's son inside the booth, adding to the outrage.Following the incident, a brief tense situation prevailed at the polling station after objections were raised by some voters and opposition workers. Election officials intervened and ensured that the polling process continued smoothly.Swami said complaints were also received from a few polling stations about electronic voting machines developing technical snags. "Voting was not stopped anywhere. Alternative arrangements were made wherever required," he said.SEC officials confirmed that action will be taken against presiding officer after an inquiry. Candidate takes his son to polling boothNCP (SP) candidate from Malshiras in Solapur, Arjunsinh Mohite Patil, also took his son to the polling booth. It is alleged that his son cast vote on his behalf. Mohite Patil later said that his son wanted to know how his parents cast votes and, therefore, he took the child to polling station. The polling staffers clarified that no minor is allowed inside the polling booth except for toddlers who can come up with their mothers.