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

India

pti-PTI

Lucknow, Mar 8: Hours after the Samajwadi Get together chief Akhilesh Yadav claimed {that a} truck carrying EVMs was “intercepted” in Varanasi, the Election Fee clarified that these EVMs have been “marked for training” of officers who might be on obligation 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 sent by the District Election Officer (of Varanasi), it was found during the investigation that these EVMs were marked for training. “To coach the officers concerned in counting obligation, coaching has been organised for March 9 (Wednesday),” it said.

The statement said the second training of the employees engaged in counting duty is on Wednesday and “these machines are at all times utilized in coaching for hands-on coaching”. “These EVMs have been being taken for coaching immediately, and hearsay was unfold by individuals of some political celebration by stopping the car, and alleging that these EVMs have been utilized in elections,” the statement said.

The UP CEO office also said that all the EVMs used for voting are sealed inside the strongroom and secured in a three-tier security cordon of the central paramilitary forces. These machines are completely isolated and secure and are continuously monitored by CCTVs throughout the day (24×7).

The District Election Officer of Varanasi has informed the representatives of various political parties regarding this, the statement said. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav earlier accused the ruling BJP of trying to “steal” votes, saying that a truck carrying EVMs was “intercepted” in Varanasi while two others got away. Counting of votes will take place on March 10. PTI