YSRCP alleges TDP's 'weapp' engineered for illegal electoral activities

GUNTUR: The YSRCP filed a complaint on Friday with the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Andhra Pradesh DGP, alleging that the 'weapp' of TDP has been specifically engineered to facilitate illicit activities.

This includes extensive data profiling, the generation and distribution of voter slips with barcodes for tracking and bribery, and direct financial inducements to voters through unauthorised transactions.

The YSRCP alleged that this practice not only violates legal norms but also infringes upon voter privacy, as it involves the unauthorised gathering and use of personal data, which is expressly prohibited by the Election Commission of India.

In its complaint, the YSRCP leaders alleged, "The leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) have stolen data from gullible voters, punishable under Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and are in possession of the stolen data, utilising it for further illegal activities."

According to the complaint, the modus operandi of weapp involved unknown persons from the Telugu Desam Party impersonating the Election Commission of India and posing as members of the Election Commission to secure personal data and preferences of individuals. They then utilise this data to commit various electoral offenses.

"These activities not only contravene the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and Section 171(B) of the IPC but also severely undermine the principles of fair electoral practice and voter confidentiality. There is a clear criminal conspiracy by the Telugu Desam Party leaders to steal personal voter data through unauthorised access to computer networks, downloading copies of the data in a dishonest manner, punishable under Section 66B of the Information Technology Act 2000," alleged YSRCP's complaint.