The Election Commission of India (ECI) has admitted that a strongroom in Bhopal faced a blackout on Friday (November 30) after a power cut in the area, following the Congress delegation met ECI Official raising concerns over the security of the EVMs strongrooms.
Releasing a statement on the incident, the Election Commission of India admitted that CCTV cameras in the strongroom did not work for over an hour on Friday.
“A report obtained from the Bhopal Collector states that CCTV cameras and an LED display installed outside the strongroom did not function from 8.19 am to 9.35 am on November 30 due to the failure of electricity supply. Because of this, the recording could not be done during the given time period. An additional LED screen, an inverter, and a generator have been installed in order to ensure continuous electricity supply,” the poll body said in a statement.
While The ECI confirmed that cameras in the strongroom are functional now.
Between the rumors of tampering of the machines, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers had been patrolling the strongroom in old Bhopal jail since Friday in shifts. While State Congress President Kamal Nath has asked the party candidates to monitor the EVMs till December 11, the day of result declaration.
While Workers Congress and BSP protested over alleged EVM Tampering in Satna
EVMs stored in an unmarked vehicle
48 hours after the closure of polls in Madhya Pradesh, a school bus bearing no number plate and carrying EVMs reached the Sagar district collector’s office. “This incident is a clear case of certain parties and individuals engaging in corrupt practices to manipulate the outcome of the recently concluded election,” Congress State Functionary.
This is absolutely shocking! pic.twitter.com/XJr8n3SdRp
— Ahmed Patel Memorial (@ahmedpatel) December 1, 2018
While The ECI said those machines were of the reserve category and were meant to be back-up.
EVMs found in a hotel room
In another instance that has raised suspicion over the fair nature of polls, EVMs were found in a hotel allegedly belonging to a BJP supporter in Shajapur, a day before polling took place on November 27.
The ECI later confirmed that a team of poll officials had checked in to the hotel room, against the instructions of the commission.
It said that the officials had been replaced and no evidence of tampering was found in the machines. Two officials have been suspended in the incident. The EC also confirmed that the machines were not used in polling.
Congress moves EC
A delegation of senior Congress leaders met the poll body and raised concerns over the security of EVMs inside strongrooms, on Saturday.
Congress leaders @DrAMSinghvi @plpunia @VTankha & @ManishTewari presented a memorandum to the EC demanding a thorough investigation into the matter of EVM tampering in recent state elections. #मोदी_से_EVM_बचाओ pic.twitter.com/q7kafQWG44
— Congress (@INCIndia) December 1, 2018
A Congress Party delegation consisting of Senior Party Leader PL Punia, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Manish Tewari, Vivek Tankha, TS Singh Dev, Pranav Jha, and Ashok Dhahariya met the Election Commission of India on December 1, at Nirvachan Sadan.
EVM security inside strongrooms and its secure handling during counting were the major issues raised by the party’s delegation. Congress Delegation also the ECI to execute fool-proofing of counting process for ongoing elections. While targeted Deletion of Voters found in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur was also put forward by the Congress Delegation.
The Polling is Rajasthan and Telangana is slated for December 7. While Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram voted on November 28. Chhattisgarh went to polls in two phases on – November 12 and November 20.
The Results of all five state assembly elections will be announced on December 11.