TDP files complaint over shifting of EVMs in AP's Nuzvid

The ruling Telugu Desam Party registered a complaint against shifting Voting equipment, including VVPAT's, from strong rooms in Nuzvid constituency in Andhra Pradesh. TDP also alleged that the procedure was done without any prior notice.

Machilipatnam: TDP candidate for the Nuzvid Assembly seat M Venkateswara Rao on Sunday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, saying polling equipment have been shifted from strong room without any intimation.

He said the equipment was from the Nuzvid Assembly segment and were stored in the strong room at Machilipatnam Krishna University campus after polling was held on April 11.

Election authorities, however, said the equipment that has been shifted were either not used on the election day or defective.

"114 VVPATs, 104 ballot units and 102 control units that were unused in the election or defective have been shifted from the Krishna University campus to the EVM godown," Returning Officer Swapnil P Dinakar said.

He added that the unused equipment were stored in a separate room and not along with those used for polling.

"We have not touched the sealed strong rooms," he said.