Madhepura: Ten people, including a presiding officer and six home guards were today (May 5, 2004) arrested for allegedly indulging in bogus voting and polling cancelled in a booth in Bihar's high profile Madhepura Lok Sabha constituency.

Official sources said polling at the booth at Sherpur village was cancelled after Election Commission observer K J Alphon, during a visit, found these people and a booth grabber had cast bogus votes in favour of a particular candidate.

On going through the vote register, the EC observer found that though only 200 signatures were present, over 300 votes had already been cast.

Elections 2004-The Drama unfolds...

Deputy collector (election) Rakesh Mohan verified the report and the 10 persons were arrested, sources said.

RJD president Laloo Prasad Yadav and Union Minister Sharad Yadav are locked in a keen fight in the high-profile constituency.