Haldwani, July 28 -- A government employee was allegedly molested and assaulted while she was returning after completing her panchayat election duties in Ranikhet, Almora district, police said on Sunday. Inspector Ashok Dhankhar from Ranikhet police station said that the woman had served as a polling officer in Malladabhar village of Ranikhet block and was waiting for transportation to return to her residence on Thursday. "A white car, bearing the registration number UK 05 C 8165, stopped near her location. The driver offered her a lift, which she accepted," he said. "After she entered the vehicle, the driver began molesting her and attempted to physically force himself on her. He also sped up the vehicle to prevent her from escaping," he said. He added that she managed to save herself by leaping out of the moving car when it slowed down. "She screamed for help, drawing the attention of passersby. Before the crowd could intervene, the driver fled with the vehicle," he said. The woman recounted the incident to those who had gathered and was then escorted to the local police station where she lodged a formal complaint. Dhankar said an FIR was registered on Saturday against the unidentified driver under BNS sections 74 (assault or criminal force to a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty) and 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt). "We visited the scene immediately after receiving the complaint, but the accused had already absconded. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the individual," he said. The panchayat elections in Uttarakhand are being held in two phases, with the first round of voting conducted on July 24 in various remote and hilly areas, including Malladabhar in Ranikhet. The second round of voting will be held on Monday....