In Rampur, Himachal Pradesh, a polling party was obstructed by a group of Congress workers for allegedly transporting the Electronic Voting Machines in a private vehicle.
Congress workers prodded the district election commission authorities to immediately suspend the polling party members which they accused of interfering with the EVMs. They also held a protest.
Congress MLA Nand Lal while addressing the media said, “EVMs were being transported in a private car. We followed it and also informed the police and election commission authorities.”
To elect a new government in Himachal Pradesh voting across 68 seats was held on Saturday.
According to the norms, the EVMs have to be transported in a government vehicle to the counting center after the voting process is over.
As per officials, the polling after the Assembly Election voting for the 66- Rampur(SC) Assembly Constituency was held on Saturday.
The district election commission authorities said that they had received information, after the completion of polling the polling party no. 146 allotted to Duttunagar-49 was carrying EVMs/VVPAT in their private vehicle with registration number HP-03D-2023.
Congress workers alleged that the EVM machines were being transported to fiddle with, at the command of the BJP.
The EVMs machines were taken to a strong room and the police administration tried to pacify the protestors as soon as they reached the spot where the incident took place.
Election Commission authorities checked the EVM machines closely and said that claimed machines were sealed properly and there was no tampering found, in the presence of Congress and BJP workers.
Election Commission officials claimed that the polling party in haste used a private vehicle to surrender the EVMs and to be free from responsibility.
In an order, Returning Officer (SDM) Surender Mohan said, “We found that the Polling Party no.146 was carrying the EVM/VVPAT machine in a private vehicle, which is a clear-cut violation of the instruction of ECI and prima face found that the party has not followed the due procedures and violated the ECI instruction.”
The polling party members involved in the transportation have been identified as Jagat Ram, PRO, Secondary Education GSSS Baur Nerwa, Inder Paul, PO, Secondary Education, GSSS, Melandi Tehsil, Kumarsain, Rajesh Kumar, APRO, Secondary Education, GSSS, Kelvi Tehsil Theog, Pradeep Kumar, PO, Elementary Education, Goverdhan Singh, Security Personnel, Department of Himachal Pradesh Police, and Vipan, Security Personnel, Department of Himachal Pradesh Police, according to ANI.
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