'Baseless': Election Commission on allegations of EVM tampering in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar

In Mau, police had to disperse a crowd gathered outside a strong room last night. In Bihar, RJD alleged suspicious movement of EVMs in Maharajganj and Saran parliamentary constituencies.

Representational Picture (AFP)

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Tuesday called the reports of EVMs being transported without security in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar “baseless” and urged people to keep faith in the poll commission. The Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh reiterated that polled EVMs are safe in the sealed strong rooms which are under surveillance and also urged people to keep faith in the poll commission. "Polled EVMs are safe in sealed strong rooms under security, coverage and surveillance of candidates. There is no possibility of changing EVMs. Don't panic and keep faith", the official handle of CEO Uttar Pradesh tweeted on Tuesday.

Polled EVMs are safe in sealed strong rooms under security, CCTV coverage and surveillance of candidates. There is no possibility of changing EVMs. Don't panic and keep faith.@ECISVEEP #DeshKaMahaTyohar #LokSabhaElections2019

— CEO UP #DeshKaMahaTyohar (@ceoup) May 21, 2019

The clarification by the polling officer comes after various rumours on social media regarding EVMs leading to tensions in some parts of the region. Afzal Ansari, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections on a BSP ticket has alleged that EVMs are being replaced and tampered in Ghazipur. The Ghazipur district administration also took to Twitter to clarify, “the apprehensions regarding EVMs are baseless. EVMs are in strong room with 24×7 CISF security. And candidates have been allowed to post their agents to monitor the strong room.”

The apprehensions regarding EVMs are baseless. EVMs are in strong room with 24×7 CISF security. And candidates have been allowed to post their agents to monitor the strong room.

— Ghazipur_admin (@AdminGhazipur) May 21, 2019

In Mau, police had to disperse a crowd gathered outside a strong room last night. In Bihar, RJD alleged suspicious movement of EVMs in Maharajganj and Saran parliamentary constituencies. The party's allegations were later refuted by the administration stating that it was for the purpose of training.

Shiv Sahay Awasthi, District Election Officer Jhansi on EVM issue: Some polling parties arrived late however all EVMs were put in place in the strong room by 7 am. The strong room has been sealed in presence of general observers and candidates under CCTV surveillance. pic.twitter.com/4dfrWdQeam

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 21, 2019

After exit polls predicted victory for the BJP-led NDA, many opposition parties have also discredited the polling process and alleged irregularities in EVM machines. Opposition parties are also visiting the Election Commission to meet officials over this issue, later today. Defending the integrity of the Election Commission, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar slammed the Opposition for raising doubts on EVMs. "Questions on EVM is bogus. After introduction of EVMs, elections have become transparent. It's a technology which has been questioned multiple times & have been answered by EC...Faction which begins losing says there were discrepancies in elections. It's not new." (With additional information from ANI)