EVMs have been marked for coaching of officers for counting responsibility, clarifies EC on Akhilesh Yadav’s allegation

By PTI

LUCKNOW: Hours after the Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav claimed {that a} truck carrying EVMs was “intercepted” in Varanasi, the Election Commission clarified that these EVMs have been “marked for training” of officers who can be on responsibility throughout the counting of votes and weren’t utilized in elections.

In an announcement issued right here late on Tuesday night time, the workplace of the Chief Electoral Officer of UP stated {that a} “‘rumour was spread by people of some political party by stopping the vehicle and alleging that these EVMs were used in elections”.

“According to the report despatched by the District Election Officer (of Varanasi), it was discovered throughout the investigation that these EVMs have been marked for coaching.

“To train the officials involved in counting duty, training has been organised for March 9 (Wednesday),” it stated The assertion stated the second coaching of the staff engaged in counting responsibility is on Wednesday and “these machines are always used in training for hands-on training”.

“These EVMs were being taken for training today, and rumour was spread by people of some political party by stopping the vehicle, and alleging that these EVMs were used in elections,” the assertion stated.

The UP CEO workplace additionally stated that every one the EVMs used for voting are sealed contained in the strongroom and secured in a three-tier safety cordon of the central paramilitary forces.

These machines are fully remoted and safe and are repeatedly monitored by CCTVs all through the day (24×7).

The District Election Officer of Varanasi has knowledgeable the representatives of varied political events relating to this, the assertion stated.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav earlier accused the ruling BJP of attempting to “steal” votes, saying {that a} truck carrying EVMs was “intercepted” in Varanasi whereas two others obtained away.

Counting of votes will happen on March 10.