Ibrahimpatnam RO Fails to Send Postal Ballots, Congress Stages Protest

HYDERABAD: Tension gripped the Ibrahimpatnam revenue division office on Saturday after Congress leaders and activists staged a protest as the returning officer (RO) and his staff had failed to shift postal ballot paper boxes, comprising votes of employees, to the strong room. The room in which the postal ballots were kept was unlocked.

Upon noticing the incident, Congress activists and CPM leaders rushed to the RDO and inquired about the postal ballot boxes, which were received on November 29. Minutes after the Congress activists reached the place, the RDO staff shifted the postal ballot boxes to the strong room.

Angered by the faux pas, Congress activists ransacked the RDO and alleged that the RO was influenced by BRS leaders and hence had not sent the postal ballot boxes to the strong room.

When a large number of Congress leaders reached the RDO office, the police swung into action and directed the staff to shift the postal ballot boxes to the strong room.