New Delhi, Jul 20: After the goof-up by Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav during the presidential poll on Thursday, where he voted for the Opposition camp nominee, PA Sangma by mistake, the matter was blown out of proportion with most media channels highlighting it. Team Sangma intends to take up the issue and is questioning why Mulayam was provided with a fresh ballot.

It was reported on Thursday soon after Mulayam had cast his vote that he had ticked his choice against Sangma’s name by mistake. Realizing the faux pas, Mulayam is understood to have immediately tore off his ballot and sought a fresh one to exercise his franchise. Sangma’s polling agent Satya Pal Jain had raised objections then but the returning officer VK Agnihotri obliged and allowed Mulayam to vote again.

Jain had filed a written complaint against it and said that Mulayam was “not entitled to another ballot under the law.” The Sangma camp is seeking a cancellation of the second ballot paper issued to Mulayam and is stressing that the first ballot paper be counted. A copy of the complaint has also been passed to the election observers.

Jain commented, “Fortunately the first ballot paper has been preserved under a sealed cover with the Returning officer.”

The returning officer, also a Rajya Sabha secretary general, said that he had issued a fresh ballot after he was informed by Mulayam that his ballot paper was torn and that he confirmed with the rules while issuing a fresh ballot.

The ballot box from the Delhi Assembly has reached the Parliament House with the boxes from the other states like Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan are all on its way to Delhi by road. Those from other far off state capitals will be transported by air. They will, however, not be booked as luggage or cargo but will utilise the space as a passenger. Each box will be accompanied by two officials chosen by the Election Commission. The counting of the votes will be carried out on Sunday.