New Delhi: With less than a day left for counting to begin for the assembly elections held in Uttar Pradesh, the police commissioner of Lucknow, D K Thakur has assured political parties of adequate security at EVM strong rooms.
While speaking to news agency ANI, Thakur said that proper security measures have been taken to safeguard the EVM strong rooms, which will be opened in the morning for counting to begin.
"We've adequate security measures in place at EVM strong room. Strong room will be opened around 7am in the presence of election observers & candidates; Counting will begin at 8 am tomorrow. Police patrolling will be done in sensitive areas," said DK Thakur to ANI.
The statement by Lucknow police commissioner comes a day after Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged tampering of EVMs in Varanasi, and accused the district magistrate of transporting them without informing local candidates.
"Exit polls want to create a perception that BJP is winning. This is the last fight for democracy. EVM is being transported without being informed to candidates. We need to be alert if EVMs are being transported this way. This is theft. We need to save our votes. We may go to court against it but before that, I want to appeal to people to save the democracy," Akhilesh was quoted as saying by ANI.
Following the allegations, Varanasi District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma held a meeting with political parties on Tuesday, and said that the EVMs shown in a video were for "training purpose".
"About 20 EVMs were being taken to UP College for training. Some political people stopped the vehicle and spread rumours by saying that these EVMs were used in elections. Whereas the strong room is different and this EVM machine caught is different. Tomorrow is the second training of the employees deputed for counting duty and these machines are always used in training for hands-on training," said Sharma as reported by ANI.
Meanwhile, UP police additional director general (ADG), law and order, Prashant Kumar has said that security arrangements for the counting day are in place including in areas that are sensitive.