EC orders repoll at booth in Assam’s Ratabari seat after EVM found in BJP candidate’s car

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Friday ordered a repoll at a polling booth in Ratabari seat of Assam after an argument broke out over the presiding officer carrying the EVM after polling in a automobile which belonged to the spouse of a BJP candidate contesting from a neighbouring seat.

To forestall the polling crew from being assaulted in Karimganj by a mob which alleged that the digital voting machine was being taken for tampering, police had to make use of drive.

In an announcement, the EC mentioned the presiding officer and three different officers have been positioned below 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 an added precaution,” the ballot panel mentioned.

A report has additionally been sought from the particular observer, the assertion mentioned.

According to particulars made public by the EC, the polling occasion of polling booth quantity 149 of Ratabari constituency comprised of a presiding officer and three polling personnel. They had been accompanied by a police constable and a house guard. After completion of polling at 6 pm on Thursday, the polling occasion left in a automobile offered by election authorities and was escorted by an armed escort.

It was raining closely and their automobile developed a snag. “Due to the traffic congestion and the prevailing weather condition, the party became detached from its convoy,” the assertion mentioned.

The polling occasion obtained down from the automobile and requested the sector officer over cellphone to rearrange for a brand new automobile.

While the sector officer was arranging for the brand new automobile, the polling occasion determined to rearrange a automobile of its personal in order to succeed in the Material Receipt Centre quicker since they had been in custody of polled EVMs.

The polling occasion hailed a passing automobile and boarded it together with the EVM– poll unit (BU), management unit (CU) and paper path machine (VVPAT)– and different issues with out checking the possession of the automobile.

As reported by the polling occasion, they moved in direction of Karimganj and needed to decelerate in the visitors. As they slowed down, they had been surrounded by a mob of about 50 folks which began pelting stones at them.

The mob additionally began abusing them and didn’t enable the automobile to go. When they requested the chief of the mob, he replied that it was the automobile of Krishnendu Paul who’s a contesting candidate of a neighbouring constituency (Patharkandi LAC-2) and alleged that “the EVM was being taken to be tampered with.”

“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 2145 hrs alleging that the EVM was being taken to be tampered with,” the assertion mentioned.

“In the meanwhile, 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, Patharkandi LAC No 2, Krishnendu Paul,” the assertion mentioned.

Police reached the spot together with district election officer and used drive to drag out the polling occasion.

Later, on examination, the polled EVM comprising BU, CU and VVPAT was found to be with its seal intact with none injury in any respect.

“All the items have been deposited in the strong room,” the assertion mentioned.

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