Assam: Officials suspended for taking EVM in BJP MLA's car

The Election Commission of India has suspended four poll officials in Karimganj in Assam after they transported EVMs in a vehicle belonging to BJP MLA Krishendu Paul.

Karimganj(Assam): The Election Commission of India has suspended four polling officials in Assam's Karimganj on Friday, a day after they were found transporting EVMs in a vehicle belonging to BJP MLA Krishendu Paul.

The Election Commission has released an official report on the incident.

Factual report of Assam EVM event issued by EC

Factual report of Assam EVM event issued by EC

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday asked all national political parties to have a "serious" re-evaluation on the use of Electronic Voting Machines or EVMs after a video on social media purportedly showed an EVM being found in a BJP candidate's car in Patharkandi constituency in the second round of polling in Assam.

In a series of tweets, the Congress leader attacked the BJP and said every time an incident related to EVMs comes to light, the Bharatiya Janata Party is found to be associated with it.

"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 (sic)," tweeted Vadra.

Priyanka Vadra's tweet

Read:Ensuring victory of Cong in assembly polls priority: Ghulam Nabi Azad

An FIR has been lodged against unknown persons after they attacked a car, allegedly belonging to a BJP candidate, carrying the EVM. The EVM was being carried in the car after the EC vehicle broke down, sources added.

"Last night a polled EVM machine was being taken in Patharkandi Vidhan Sabha in Assam when a crowd intercepted it as the car didn't belong to Election Commission," sources said.

"The EC car had broken down and officials took a lift in a passing car that was later identified as belonging to a BJP candidate," sources added.

Sources informed that an FIR has been lodged against unknown persons who attacked the car carrying the polled machine.

Read:For a change, Congress takes 'cow route' to woo voters in Assam

"Further investigations are on about the sequence of events, the EVM was not tampered with during the attack and is in the custody of the administration," sources added.

The second phase of Assembly polls was held in 39 constituencies across 13 districts of Assam on Thursday. A voter turnout of 74.76 per cent was recorded during the second phase.

Read: Modi is a 'migratory bird' for Assam, say Oppn leaders

(Inputs from Agency)