EVMs, VVPATs found at TMC leader’s house, poll official suspended

Four EVMs and an analogous variety of VVPATs have been found at the home of a Trinamool Congress chief in West Bengal’s Howrah district, following which a poll official was suspended, a senior officer mentioned on Tuesday.

The incident occurred in Tulsiberia village within the Uluberia Uttar meeting phase, he mentioned.

Villagers noticed a automobile with an Election Commission sticker outdoors the home of the TMC chief within the early hours, after which they began protesting, he added.

Then, it was found that the officer of sector 17 Tapan Sarkar was visiting the TMC leader’s home with the EVMs, the official mentioned.

The EVMs and VVPATs have been seized and the officer suspended, he mentioned.

“The four machines are not being used in today’s polling. We have sought a report from the District Election Officer,” he added.

The sector officer claimed that he reached the world very late and found the polling sales space closed, following that he determined to spend the night time at his relative’s residence, unable to search out any “safe place” to remain.

An enormous group of central forces needed to be deployed within the space because the locals protested, alleging malpractices. Even the Block Development Officer (BDO) was gheraoed when he had reached the spot to pacify the gang.

BJP candidate Chiran Bera alleged that the incident was a part of TMC’s plan to rig the election, a cost denied by the ruling occasion.

BJP state president Dilip Ghosh mentioned, “This is an previous behavior of the TMC. It takes time to recover from the previous habits.

They have been caught red-handed and it reveals what they’re as much as.” Polling was underway within the space within the third section of elections.