Baghel alleges discrepancy in EVM numbers; Akhilesh says Opposition workers being detained

He also alleged that similar complaints had been received from several other constituencies. “We are complaining to the state election officer. The Election Commission should say under what circumstances the machines were changed, and who will be responsible for the impact on the election result. The list of changed numbers is very long, but a small list is attached for your perusal,” Baghel said in the post, which included a list of EVM numbers that he alleged had been changed.

Chief Electoral Officer of Chhattisgarh, Reena Kangale said  the allegations were not based on facts. “The EVMs used during polls are exactly according to the list of machines shared by Returning Officer after randomization with contesting candidates. The list of machines changed due to some mechanical/technical faults during poll and mock poll has also been shared with the candidates,” the CEO said. “Moreover, polling agents have put signatures on the paper seals used to seal the EVMs before the start of polls. During scrutiny the very next day of polls, in presence of independent observers, no such issue was raised by any of the candidates. All paper seals can be verified with its number mentioned in form 17(C) at the time of actual counting… So allegation of change in EVMs after poll is baseless,” the CEO said.

However, Baghel called the EC’s response “factually incorrect”, and said: “The EC has given two different numbers (in the Randomization Report and Form 17C) for the same booth where the machine was neither changed nor cancelled. Tell me which one should be considered correct?”

Akhilesh Yadav, the former chief minister of UP, in a separate post on X, alleged that police and district administration in many UP districts were detaining party workers of the Opposition at their homes to stop them from participating in the counting of votes.

Akhilesh Yadav, the former chief minister of UP, in a separate post on X, alleged that police and district administration in many UP districts were detaining party workers of the Opposition at their homes to stop them from participating in the counting of votes.

He asked the Supreme Court, the Election Commission and the UP Police to “immediately take cognizance of the matter.  There was no immediate response from the EC or the UP Police to Akhilesh’s allegations.