Poll candidates in several constituencies of the tribal districts are bribing voters and doling out cash to the poor to ensure they cast ballots on polling day in their favour.

As if handing out bribes in cash or kind is not enough, shrewd contestants not only bind the voters to swear on the Holy Quran, they also make it binding on the electorates to swear that their lawful marriages would become invalid if they don’t vote for them.

“After paying the voters, the contenders make them take oath on the Quran to vote for them. But since that doesn’t guarantee anything, they invoke something far graver in terms of socio-cultural and religious significance.”

Rich candidates are offering to dig wells, pave the streets and distribute solar panels, fans or pay heavy amount to welfare organisations, mosques, seminaries, shrines or other religious places in the name of donations. Interestingly, candidates have started payment of donation to shrines, charity bodies and mosques after filing their nomination papers.

At the same time, some voters see the elections not as a process of democratic representation but an opportunity to claim their share of the electoral largesse by selling their vote.

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