After EVM is found in Assam BJP candidate’s car, EC suspends 4 officials

The Election Commission of India (ECI) clarified on Friday that its officials in Assam, with an EVM, travelled in a BJP candidate’s car after their own vehicle broke down. The officials did not check the ownership of the car, the statement added. The Commission was reacting to a viral video that showed people protesting against the EVM being transported in a BJP leader’s car.

The ECI also issued a show-cause notice to the presiding officer and three other officials were 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),” the EC statement said.

Also Read: Polling for phase 2 Assam assembly election concludes with 77.21% voter turnout

Here is the detailed EC statement:

“Polling party 149-Indira MV School of LAC 1 Ratabari (SC) met with incident. The party comprised a Presiding Officer and 3 polling personnel. They were accompanied by police personnel comprising a constable and a homeguard. At about 9:20 pm, polling party hailed a passing vehicle and boarded it along with their EVM & other things without checking ownership of vehicle. As reported by them, they moved towards Karimganj and as they reached Kanaishil, Karimganj at 11:00 pm, they had to slow down in traffic.

“As they slowed down, they were surrounded by a mob of about 50 people which started pelting stones at them. The mob also started abusing them and did not allow the vehicle to pass. When they asked the leader of mob, he replied that it was vehicle of Krishnendu Paul, a contesting candidate of Patharkandi and he levelled allegations that EVM was being taken to be tampered with. They realised that something was amiss and alerted the Sector Officer. However, a larger crowd had gathered by then and they were attacked and held hostage by a mob along with the EVM in the vehicle at 9:45 pm alleging that the EVM was being taken to be tampered with,” the EC statement said.

The car carrying the EVM and the officials belonged to BJP’s Patharkandi candidate Krishnendu Paul. The video of the violenec that was widely shared on social media, was tweeted out by Assam-based journalist Atanu Bhuyan.

Hitting out at the BJP over the incident, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said the Election Commission should act decisively. “Every time there is an election video of private vehicles caught transporting EVM’s show up. Unsurprisingly they have the following things in common: 1. The vehicles usually belong to BJP candidates or their associates. 2. The videos are taken as one off incidents and dismissed as aberrations. 3. The BJP uses its media machinery to accuse those who exposed the videos as sore losers,” she tweeted.

In phase two, 39 assembly seats went to polls in Assam. The final phase of polling for the state is on April 6.