The Election Commission on Friday suspended four officials after a video surfaced on social media purportedly showing an EVM being found in a BJP candidate’s car in Patharkandi constituency following the second round of polling in Assam.
The Presiding Officer was also issued a show-cause notice for violation of the transport protocol. Thereafter, the PO and three other officials have been placed under suspension.
On the examination, the polled EVM consisting of BU, CU, and VVPAT was found to be intact with its seal sans any damage, informed the election commission in a statement on Friday, adding that all the items have been deposited in the strong room.
Image source: Representative
It said that although the seals of the EVM were found intact, the commission has decided to do a re-poll at number 149- Indira MV School of LAC 1 Ratabari (SC) as an added precaution.
A report has also been sought from the Special Observer.
Factual report on incident involving EVM at Karimganj. Presiding Officer & 3 other officials placed under suspension. Although seals of the EVM found intact, a re-poll ordered at No. 149 Ratabari as added precaution. @PIB_Indiahttps://t.co/VKPUfMy8sI
— Sheyphali Sharan (@SpokespersonECI) April 2, 2021
The commission said that the vehicle which was allotted by the transport cell of the election branch, to the party carrying the polling party broke down, and “due to the traffic congestion and the poor weather condition, the party became detached from its convoy”.
“The party alighted from the vehicle and called the Sector Officer Ajoy Sutradhar on his mobile and informed him. While the sector officer was arranging for an alternate vehicle, the polling party decided to arrange a vehicle of its own so as to reach the Material Receipt Centre faster since they were in the custody of polled EVMs,” an EC release stated.
“At about 9.20 pm, the polling party hailed a passing vehicle and boarded it along with their EVM and other things without checking the ownership of the vehicle. As reported by the polling party, they moved towards Karimganj and as they reached Kanaishil in Karimganj at about 10.00 pm, they had to slow down in the traffic. As they slowed down, they were surrounded by a mob of about 50 people who started pelting stones at them.
The EC report said that as the vehicle-carrying polling party slowed down, it was surrounded by a mob of about 50 people who started pelting stones at them.
“The mob also started abusing them and did not allow the vehicle to pass. When they asked the leader of the mob, he replied that it was the vehicle of Krishnendu Paul who is a contesting candidate of a neighboring constituency (Patharkandi LAC-2) the antecedents of the vehicle were ascertained and it was found to be was registered in the name of Madhumita Paul, wife of contesting candidate, Krishnendu Paul” the EC release added.
Immediately after receiving information about the incident, DEO Karimganj along with SP Karimganj rushed to the spot and reached there at 22:20 pm.
On Thursday, Assam underwent polling for the second time for 39 constituencies across 13 districts. A total of 74.76 percent voter turnout was witnessed by the state in the second phase of polling.
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