Bengaluru, DHNS: Asks TV channels to provide unedited videos of the operation. The returning officer for the Rajya Sabha elections in Karnataka has asked two media houses to provide unedited footage of the cash-for-votes sting aired by them.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) had on Friday sought a report on the sting operations by two news channels on “corrupt practices” in the elections.

Karnataka Chief Electoral?Officer (CEO)?Anil Kumar Jha, on directions of the ECI,?has instructed returning officer S?Murthy, who is also the secretary of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, to collect unedited video footage of the sting operations from the two channels and also compile any other related material.

The sting videos showed four MLAs reportedly discussing the sale of votes for the Rajya Sabha polls, creating a political furore on Thursday.

Jha, who has been appointed the official observer for the Rajya Sabha polls, said it would be difficult to set a timeframe for sending the report to the ECI. “We are looking at all aspects. Once the returning officer sends us the details, we will prepare the report and forward it to the ECI,” Jha said.

The Rajya Sabha elections in Karnataka, with MLAs forming the electoral college, are scheduled for June 11.

Murthy said he had already compiled newspaper reports on the “sting”, including reactions and views of various political parties and politicians. The four MLAs showed in the sting – B?R?Patil, G?T?Devegowda, Mallikarjun Khuba and Varthur Prakash – have denied any involvement.

Murthy said he had written to the two television channels to provide unedited video footage of the sting operations. One of them submitted the footage in a CD on Saturday.
He said there had been no communication from the ECI on the postponement of elections. “As of now, elections will be held as scheduled,” he said.