Assam | Plan to open EVM warehouse called off after Congress objections

Guwahati, May 19, 2019:

Another controversy in relation to EVM machines was again witnessed in Assam just ahead of the counting process begins on May 23 to ascertain who will assume the Lok Sabha thrones once the dust has settled down.

The controversy began after the Kamrup District Election Officer issued a letter to all political parties informing that the EVM warehouse in Amingaon would be opened up on May 20, three days before the counting takes place. The officer had asked the parties to send representatives to monitor the situation.

In a letter sent to the President/Secretary, all political parties, the Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer informed that the EVM warehouse near transformation and development branch of office of the deputy commissioner, Kamrup, Amingaon, would be opened on May 20, at 3 pm.

In response, Congress candidate Bobbeeta Sharma's election agent sent a letter to the district Election Officer asking to give in writing why the warehouse had to be opened after it had been sealed.

In response to Bobbeeta's letter, the District Election Officer cancelled the opening of the warehouse "until further communication" from their end.

However, the Congress party in Assam staunchly opposed the move and lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI), which led them to cancel the whole process.

Speaking to Inside Northeast, Congress candidate from Guwahati Lok Sabha Constituency Bobbeeta Sharma said that no clarification was given regarding the need to open up the sealed warehouses.

"Perhaps they should be asked by the media why they wanted to open the warehouse, because we are completely flummoxed. Once the EVMs are sealed, they cannot be opened", she said.

This is not the only EVM related controversy in the state as earlier on April 28, small trucks laden with so called ‘unused EVM’s’ were brought to a private location (Himatsingka Workshop) situated opposite to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (Rural) at around 10:35 pm.

As per reports, the EVMs were sent from different districts of the State to a place adjacent to the Strong Room situated at Amingaoan under the jurisdiction of the Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (Rural).