After the Samajwadi Party caught BJP workers transporting EVMs in Varanasi, protests broke all over while Akhilesh said he was not informed.
Akhilesh Yadav called an urgent press conference in Lucknow where he alleged the state administration was indulging in voter fraud. “In Varanasi, EVMS were being transported. Boxes were recovered from a garbage disposal truck in Bareilly. There were three boxes. One had plain ballot papers, while there were also ballot papers with seals.
In Sonbhadra as well, EVMs were being taken when people apprehended them. You can confirm from the district magistrate that calls are being made from Lucknow that in places where the BJP is losing, the counting process should be slow and extended till evening,” the former chief minister said.
Speaking to mediapersons, Varanasi DM Kaushal Sharma said: “There were 20 machines that were in a pick-up truck that was stopped by people. There was confusion among the people about whether polling EVMs were being transported. All the candidates, magistrates have been called here to clarify the same. There were 20 machines that were for training. They are not connected with polling EVMs. A hard copy of the machines that were used in polling will be given to the candidates. Also, we have decided that the training will be carried out without the EVMs. Other issues will be probed,” Sharma said.
However, Akhilesh claimed that no information was given with regard to the transport of ballots. “If the EVMs were being transported for training, why weren’t the candidates informed? I have known this DM since he was posted in Muzaffarnagar. He is letting things happen. He will say what the party (BJP) wants him to say,” Yadav said, demanding action against Varanasi DM Kaushal Sharma and Commissioner.
Samajwadi Party candidate from Hastinapur constituency in Meerut district, Yogesh Verma keeps an eye on EVM strong room with binoculars to prevent mishandling
#WATCH | Samajwadi Party candidate from Hastinapur constituency in Meerut district, Yogesh Verma keeps an eye on EVM strong room with binoculars to prevent mishandling pic.twitter.com/0eB8FO4vQO
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) March 8, 2022
Samajwadi Party supporters protest outside a strongroom in Varanasi. Two days before the counting of votes for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday claimed the ruling BJP was “stealing” votes when his party workers intercepted a truck carrying EVMs in Varanasi. He also claimed that vehicles transporting ballots were intercepted in at least three districts and he was not informed of move.
Samajwadi Chief Akhilesh Yadav said, “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.”
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: Samajwadi Chief Akhilesh Yadav pic.twitter.com/fRt6aMhT1K
— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2022
Why Did Trucks Flee When Intercepted?
One party memeber said, “In Varanasi, we intercepted one truck and two trucks fled. If there was no suspicious activity, how did two trucks with EVMs escape? You cannot move any EVMs from anywhere without the consent of candidates?” If there was nothing to hide, two trucks would not have fled. Also, does one do EVM training just before voting without informing the other parties?
All these movements have raised suspicion.
The question rises, “If the #EVMs were for training purposes then what was the urgency to move it? Even if it was training EVM then why the candidates were not informed before moving it? The Election Commission has tried everything to create a fake story but nothing can save their credibility.”
If the #EVMs were for training purpose then what was the urgency to move it?
Even if it was training EVM then why the candidates were not informed before moving it?
The Election Commission has tried everything to create a fake story but nothing can save their credibility.. https://t.co/b0vV0XyqHA— Anis Ahmed (Gen. Secretary, PFI) (@AnisPFI) March 9, 2022
Anger and Protests are Sparking in Uttar Pradesh
इस तानाशाही सरकार को सबक सिखाने जनता खुद रोड पर आ गई अब बाबा की नैया डूबने वाली है #EVM_चोर_BJP https://t.co/OMGmJ0btdm pic.twitter.com/m9Undkv9jE
— Rofl Gandhi 🚜🏹 (@RoflGandhiii_) March 9, 2022
This video of EVMs is from #Varanasi.
We are witnessing the attempt to destroy our democracy and snatch away the only mechanism that exists to hold govts. in check: our vote.
Every Indian should rise up to protect their right to free and fair elections!
#EVMs
#ExitPolls
This video of EVMs is from #Varanasi.
We are witnessing the attempt to destroy our democracy and snatch away the only mechanism that exists to hold govts. in check: our vote.
Every Indian should rise up to protect their right to free and fair elections!#EVMs#ExitPolls pic.twitter.com/V3efcDywQ9— Momin Moyal (@itsmomin1711) March 8, 2022
Journalist Ravi Nair “In the 2017 Uttarakhand assembly elections, at least in five constituencies, EVMs were swapped after the polling. BJP won in all those constituencies.
Uttarakhand HC found that the allegations are true.
Nothing much happened after that.
BJP won the election and formed the govt.
In the 2017 Uttarakhand assembly elections, at least in five constituencies, EVMs were swapped after the polling. BJP won in all those constituencies.
Uttarakhand HC found that the allegations are true.
Nothing much happened after that.
BJP won the election and formed the govt. pic.twitter.com/k0soIybfHq— Ravi Nair (@t_d_h_nair) March 8, 2022
Openly going to strong room of EVM machines in Banaras is a very serious question
@ECISVEEP
@SpokespersonECI
Please stop such negligence and rigging and give explanation
Why is this happening ?
बनारस में खुलेआम EVM मशीनों का सट्रांग रूम तरफ़ जाना अति गंभीर सवाल है @ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI कृपया इन तरह लापरवाही व धांधली पर रोक लगाये एवम स्पष्टीकरण दें
ऐसा क्यों हो रहा है ? @adgzonevaranasi @dgpup @yadavakhilesh pic.twitter.com/xAdQ58EXsQ— Manoj KAKA (@ManojSinghKAKA) March 8, 2022
Samajwadi Party candidate from Hastinapur constituency in Meerut district, Yogesh Verma keeps an eye on EVM strong room with binoculars to prevent mishandling
#WATCH | Samajwadi Party candidate from Hastinapur constituency in Meerut district, Yogesh Verma keeps an eye on EVM strong room with binoculars to prevent mishandling pic.twitter.com/0eB8FO4vQO
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) March 8, 2022
EC Declares EVMs were being brought Varanasi for Training
Later in the evening, a statement given by the UP Chief Electoral Officer said: “These machines have always been used for dual training and hands-on training. The EVMs used in polling are sealed and guarded and are being observed through 24×7 monitoring.
The state chief electoral officer (CEO) in a statement said the EVMs were being brought in Varanasi for the training of polling officers scheduled on Wednesday and insisted that the “EVMs used in polling are sealed and guarded and are being observed through 24×7 monitoring”.
It has been brought to notice that some EVMs were being carried in a vehicle in Varanasi which was objected by the political representatives present there. In the investigation, it has been found that these EVMs were marked for training: Chief Electoral Officer, Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/HE0y0BxszV
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) March 8, 2022
However, no one is convinced by the statements of the EC and SBSP chief OP Rajbhar, an ally of the SP, said: “This is the last election of democracy. After this, we will have to fight like a freedom struggle… We will also approach the courts if needed,” he said.
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