The Election Commission on April 2 ordered repolling on booth number 149 of Ratabari Assembly constituency in Karimganj district of Assam after it was confirmed that an EVM was transported in a car belonging to the wife of the BJP candidate, Krishnendu Paul, who is actually the sitting MLA from neighbouring Patharkandi Assembly segment.
The presiding officer and three others have been suspended and show-cause notice has been served to them.
However, the Commission clarified that the concerned EVM was not tampered with and the sealed not broken.
The incident evoked sharp reaction and a large number of people protested against it. They encircled the car carrying the EVM. They also clashed with the police. Several people including the SP were injured.
The EC said that the vehicle transporting the EVM broke down while on way to the strong-room from the polling booth. The EVMs are stored there till the counting day. The official transporting the EVM decided to take lift from a car coming from behind. Later, it was found that the vehicle belonged to a relative of the BJP candidate from a nearby seat (Patharkandi). The EC conceded that it was wrong on the part of the officials on duty to take the EVM in a different vehicle.
The news of transportation of the EVM in a vehicle belonging to a relative of a BJP candidate of Assam on April 1 evening created storm in opposition circle with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, party MP Gaurav Gogoi and others questioning the credibility of the Election Commission.
The opposition leaders are asking as to how only one EVM was being transported in a car? What about others?
This incident had happened on the day Trinamool Congress in neighbouring West Bengal had accused the Election Commission of working at the behest of the ruling BJP at the Centre.
Many BJP leaders are on the defensive on this issue and are putting all the blames on the Election Commission.
