An election Commission official in West Bengal was suspended on Tuesday for carrying a reserve EVM and a VVPAT machine to the house of a relative, who happens to be a Trinamool Congress leader. “Severe action will be taken,” the Election Commission said.

“Tapan Sarkar, sector officer of Sector 17 in AC 177 Uluberia Uttar at Howrah district, went with Reserve EVM and slept at a relative’s house. This is a gross violation of EC’s instructions for which he has been suspended and charges will be framed for major punishment,” an EC official said, according to reports.

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EVMs and VVPATs were found at the residence of a TMC leader in Uluberia, West Bengal, reports added. The EC official said that the EVM had been taken out of the poll process and the officer had been suspended. “Severe action will be taken against all involved,” the ECI added, according to ANI.

The incident comes a week after, four poll officials were suspended for taking a lift, with EVMs, in a BJP leader’s car after the second phase of polling on April 1. Although EVM’s seals were found intact, a repoll was ordered at No 149- Indira MV School of LAC 1 Ratabari.

West Bengal, along with four other states, is voting in phase three of the assembly election today. Other states going to polls are Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. While Tamil Nadu, Kerala and  Puducherry voted in one phase, Assam voted in three and West Bengal votes in eight phase, last round on April 29. Votes will be counted on May 2.