Four BJP officials suspended after the opposition raised a large ruckus after officials were discovered transporting an electronic voting machine (EVM) in a BJP candidate’s car yesterday. The Election Commission today ordered a fresh repoll in the polling station.
The incident had led to protests and violence brewed in the Karimganj district where the seat is located. The car belonged to the wife of, a BJP contestant from Patharkandi.
The incident happened when at around 9.20 p.m., the staff took a lift in the private car without checking its ownership, according to the poll panel’s release said today. Krishnendu Paul’s electoral affidavit confirms that his wife, Madhumita Paul, owned the vehicle (registration number: AS10B0022).
As the car arrived at the strong room at around 10 pm, angry mobs from the opposition parties identified the vehicle and attacked it, along with the driver, pelting it with stones and abusing the passages while they ran for cover.
The district administration had to resort to police action to disperse the crowd and secure the vehicle, the EVM, and the polling personnel, officials said.
The release stated, “On examination, the polled EVM comprising of BU, CU, and VVPAT was found to be with its seal intact without any damage whatsoever. All the items have been deposited in the strong room.”
The officials involved have been suspended with repolling ordered at station 149. The Presiding Officer has been issued a show-cause notice for violation of the transport protocol.
This leads to a flashback of 2019 with truckloads of EVMs were found driving into strong rooms with officials transporting the machines. These officials were caught by opposition party workers and complaints lodged; however, no action was taken. The opposition states that ver taken because the entire electoral process has been rigged and institutions like the Election Commission and Courts have been made captives by BJP-RSS.
Different comments made by leaders and supporters are given below:
Rahul Gandhi Congress leader says:
EC की गाड़ी ख़राब,
भाजपा की नीयत ख़राब,
लोकतंत्र की हालत ख़राब!
#EVMs
Translated from Hindi by
EC car malfunction,
BJP’s intentions are bad,
The condition of democracy worsens!
#EVMs
EC की गाड़ी ख़राब,
भाजपा की नीयत ख़राब,
लोकतंत्र की हालत ख़राब!#EVMs— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 2, 2021
This is the only way the BJP can win Assam: by looting EVMs. EVM capturing, like there used to be booth capturing. All under the nose of the Election Commission. Sad day for democracy. #EVM_theft_Assam #AssamAssemblyElection2021 https://t.co/5dmlu67Uui
— Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) April 1, 2021
Citing video of EVMs found in BJP leader's car, @priyankagandhi asks EC to take decisive action – Elections News#EVMChorChowkidar https://t.co/1mjSVPc1yl
— Niraj Bhatia (@bhatia_niraj23) April 2, 2021
Top opposition leaders today cited this to allege malpractices by the ruling BJP. The opposition has cited the incident to allege “EVM capturing” by the ruling BJP. The Congress’s Gaurav Gogoi, has said “this is the only way the BJP can win Assam”.
Another worker said, “One EVM is equivalent to holding 2000 votes. You get 5 of those and you have 10,000 votes riding in your vehicle.”
“Learn it from BJP, ballot boxes looting is so passé, a couple of EVMs and you have a big chunk of the constituency!!”
“We have been saying since 2014, the election commission is riding along with BJP in every election!
“The latest developments in Assam of EVM being transported in a BJP candidate’s car is nothing new!!!”
“The BJP has been at it for years now!!!”
“Stealing Elections is a BJP trademark and once again they are trying it in the states!!!”
Basically, the EC and the courts need to step up and India needs more accountability during elections and at election booths, or can we call ourselves a democracy anymore or should we say banana republic, where leaders seize power as and when they please due to the power of money?
Also Read: “KERALA IS GEARING UP FOR A HUGE CHANGE”, SAYS RAHUL GANDHI