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Two days ahead of the counting of votes for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday accused the ruling BJP of “stealing” votes and claimed that his party workers intercepted a truck carrying EVMs in Varanasi. He also claimed that vehicles transporting ballots were intercepted in at least three districts.
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”.
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In a hurriedly called press conference in Lucknow, the SP chief 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.
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.
Later in the evening, a statement issued 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.”
