Barely a few hours after the second phase of polling ended in Assam, a video surfaced alleging that electronic voting machines (EVMs) were being transported in the car of BJP MLA from Patharkandi, Krishnendu Paul.
After the video was shared online, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi called for a serious re-evaluation of the use of the voting machines by all national parties.
The Congress general secretary also said that the Election Commission needs to start acting decisively on these complaints.
The video was shared on Twitter by an Assam-based journalist who claimed that the situation was tense in Patharkandi due to this incident.
According to the statement released by EC, the vehicle which was registered for carrying EVM got detached from its convoy due to traffic congestion and inclement weather. The party immediately informed the sector officer about the situation. While the officer tried to arrange an alternate vehicle, the polling officials decided to arrange a vehicle of their own to reach the material receipt centre faster as they were in the custody of the EVMs. The party saw a vehicle passing by and boarded it with the EVM without checking the ownership. The car was stopped by a mob of 50 people at Karimganj and stones were hurled at the vehicle.
After the official asked the mob, their leader alleged that EVM was being taken to be tampered with. Hearing the allegation they realised that something was wrong and got to know that the car belonged to a BJP candidate Krishnenendu Paul.
"Presiding Officer was issued a show-cause notice for violation of transport protocol. PO & 3 other officials placed under suspension. Although EVM's seals were found intact it has been decided to do a re-poll at No 149- Indira MV School of LAC 1 Ratabari(SC)", EC on Assam EVM issue
An FIR has been lodged on unknown persons who attacked the car carrying the polled EVM.
"Further investigations are on about the sequence of events, the EVM was not tampered with during the crowd attack and is in the custody of the administration, sources told ANI.
The Election Commission of India has suspended four polling officials deputed in Karimganj who were involved in transporting EVM through a private vehicle after the matter came into light and the election has been canceled at the respective booth in Karimganj, Assam.
Soon after the video was shared online, opposition parties began accusing BJP of stealing EVMs and influencing votes.
Assam Congress chief Ripun Bora threatened that the party would boycott the election "if this open loot and rigging of EVMs don't stop immediately".
Meanwhile, a voter turnout of about 77.21 per cent was recorded in the second phase of the assembly election in Assam on Thursday, April 1. The turnout fell when compared to 82.7 per cent in 2016. The polling reported incidents of violence in Sonai and Kalaigaon constituencies in which at least five people suffered injuries.