Questions Raised Over Movement Of EVMs In UP, Bihar After Videos Surface

New Delhi: Calling the allegations of mishandling of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Trail Machines) in strongrooms in Uttar Pradesh ‘frivolous’ and ‘baseless’, the Election Commission on Tuesday said that the ‘EVMs were in proper security and protocol was being followed ahead of counting of votes on May 23’.

“Polled EVMs and VVPATs were sealed properly in front of political parties candidates in videography. CCTV cameras are installed. CPAF security is there. Candidates are allowed to have watch on strong room at a time and at a point one representative of each candidate 24 ×7. The allegations are baseless (sic),” the Election Commission said in a statement on Tuesday.

Afzal Ansari, the BSP candidate in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur, sat on a protest outside the strongroom where EVMs are being kept to prevent them from being transported out in a vehicle. In a video of the incident, Ansari and his supporters late on Monday were seen engaged in a heated argument with a police officer.