Protests in Uttar Pradesh after videos show 'tampering' of EVMS

Lucknow/New Delhi, May 21 Protests broke out in some parts of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday after videos of alleged movement and tampering of EVMs turned into a web sensation via web-based networking media, a charge rejected by the Election Commission as "unimportant" and "unwarranted".

As the videos went viral, workers of various parties held challenges in Ghazipur, Chandauli and Dumariyaganj alleging that EVMs were being "moved around" outside strongrooms.

A video clasp of EVMs being off-loaded and put in a room inside the counting centre complex in Chandauli was doing the rounds via web-based networking media. BJP's state unit president Mahendra Nath Pandey is looking for re-appointment from the seat.

Another video is from Ghazipur where SP-BSP alliance candidate Afzal Ansari is seen staging protest alleging that the organization was trying to change EVMs.

In the video, Ansari and his supporters were seen having a heated exchange with a police officer. The officer is urging them to clear the area, but the leader and his supporters refuse to budge, claiming there was an attempt to take out a vehicle loaded with EVMs.

Afzal Ansari is the brother of don turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who is serving sentence in Uttar Pradesh's Banda jail in connection with various criminal cases and is pitted against Union Minister Manoj Sinha of the BJP.

Ansari also demanded that at any rate two BSP workers must be issued goes to sit close to the premises where EVMs were kept in solid rooms at five different places.

Chief Electoral Officer of the state Venkateshwarlu allayed fears of political parties.

Referring to the Ghazipur incident, he said the candidate wanted more number of people to keep a watch on EVMs based on his apprehensions and the DM there has fulfilled him and those organizing protest have returned.

On Chandauli, he said the issue relates to unused EVMs which had been brought back and after talks they were kept independently from the used ones kept in the strong room.

There are CCTV cameras installed in strong rooms. Candidates are permitted to keep a watch on strong rooms through their representatives. All apprehensions are unfounded, he said.

"EVMS and VVPATs were sealed properly in front of political party candidates. CCTV cameras are installed ... one representative of each candidate is present. The allegations are baseless, an EC report said.

On Chandauli, the EC report stated, "Unimportant claim by certain people as EVMs are in proper security and protocol.

The protest took place when additional (reserved) EVMs from the Sakaldiha assembly segment were brought there.

The Commission said all aid down protocol relating to safekeep of voting machines and paper trail machines after voting were followed.

It said candidates and their representatives have been allowed to watch over strongrooms for which places have been earmarked.

In view of the viral videos, political parties directed their leaders, applicants and workers to stay additional careful in all regions where EVMs have been stored.

All opposition parties have issued directives to their district and city units asking their cadres to prepare for counting of votes.

Fearing irregularities during counting of votes, the high command of all opposition parties have asked their units not to be lax in maintaining security of strongrooms where electronic voting machines (EVMs) have been kept.