EC stops vote count in Jharkhand, Uttarakhand

Concerned over reports of money being used in the Rajya Sabha polls from Jharkhand and Uttarakhand, the Election Commission on Friday asked the returning officers of the two assemblies not to start counting the votes scheduled for 5 p.m.

In its communication to the returning officers of the assemblies of Jharkhand and Uttarakhand, the EC asked them to submit detailed and comprehensive reports of the conduct of polls on Friday with special reference to any untoward incident immediately after voting was over.

Besides asking the ROs not to start counting the votes till being asked to do so, the poll panel also asked the election officials not to declare the results of the Rajya Sabha polls till the commission gives its nod.

The EC said it would ask the ROs to count the votes after perusing their reports on the conduct of polls.

Over Rs.2 crore in cash was seized from a vehicle in Jharkhand on Thursday. It was reported that the vehicle belonged to the kin of an independent candidate.