EVM in BJP MLA's car: EC orders fresh polls at station; 4 officials suspended

GUWAHATI: The Election Commission has taken action against the presiding officer and ordered a fresh polling station in question "as an added precaution" after EVMs were sensationally found in the vehicle of the Patharkandi BJP candidate in an area under Ratabari Constituency of Assam. As many as four officials have been suspended in connection with the incident.

According to the EC's clarification, the polling party of Indira M.V. School of Ratabari -- comprising a Presiding Officer and three polling personnel -- met with an "unfortunate incident."  They were accompanied by the police personnel comprising a constable and a home guard.

"Since it was poll day and poll closes at 6 pm, about 1,300 vehicles were returning on the single highway, as all polling parties return to Karimganj from 6 pm onwards. Combined with the inclement weather, this had led to unprecedented traffic congestion on the highway,' the EC's clarification read.

According to the account, the polling party decided to arrange a vehicle after the vehicle it was travelling in broke down and tried to reach the Material Receipt Centre faster since they were in the custody of polled EVMs.

"At about 2120 hrs, the polling party hailed a passing vehicle and boarded it along with their EVM and other things without checking the ownership of the vehicle bearing the number AS-10B-0022. As reported by the polling party, they moved towards Karimganj and as they reached Kanaishil in Karimganj at about 2200 hrs, they had to slow down in the traffic. As they slowed down, they were surrounded by a mob of about 50 people which started pelting stones at them. The mob also started abusing them and did not allow the vehicle to pass," the communique further read.

It was only then that they realised that something was amiss and alerted the Sector Officer; however, a larger crowd had gathered by then and they were attacked and held hostage by a mob along with the EVM in the vehicle at 9:45 pm alleging that the EVM was being taken to be tampered with, it further read.

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"In this regard, the presiding officer was issued show cause notice for violation of the transport protocol. Thereafter, the PO & 3 other officials have been placed under suspension. Although the seals of the EVM were found intact, it has nevertheless been decided to do a re-poll at No. 149- Indira M.V. School of LAC 1 Ratabari(SC) as added precaution. A report has also been sought from the Special Observer," the note further read.

The DEO of Karimganj along with SP Karimganj rushed to the spot and reached there around 11:20 pm.

The antecedents of the vehicle were ascertained and it was found to be was registered in the name of Madhumita Paul, wife of BJP candidate from neighbouring Patharkandi, Krishnendu Paul.

According to the communique, the mob had turned violent and had damaged the glass of the vehicle by pelting stones.

The SP of Karimganj sustained minor injuries on his collarbone and blank firing was done to disperse the mob. The first polling officer was found missing in the commotion, the EVM’s and the remaining polling party along were safely escorted from the area and taken into the control of the DEO at 2320 hrs.

The EC further stated that the polled EVM comprising of BU, CU and VVPAT was found to be with its seal intact without any damage whatsoever. All the items have been deposited in the strong room.

This clarification has been issued after the opposition Congress raised a hue-and-cry over the incident, going so far as to accuse the EC of being hands-in-gloves with the ruling party.

Condemning the incident, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, said: "Every time there is an election video of private vehicles caught transporting EVM’s show up. Unsurprisingly they have the following things in common: 1. The vehicles usually belong to BJP candidates or their associates 2. The videos are taken as one-off incidents and dismissed as aberrations 3. The BJP uses its media machinery to accuse those who exposed the videos as sore losers. The fact is that too many such incidents are being reported and nothing is being done about them. The EC needs to start acting decisively on these complaints and a serious re-evaluation of the use of EVM’s needs to be carried out by all national parties."

Badruddin Ajmal of the AIUDF tweeted saying "stealing EVMs" was the BJP's last resort after all its other moves -- "polarisation", "buying votes", "doublespeak on CAA", among others -- had failed.

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