In Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari, Congress has registered its first protest with the state Chief Electoral Officer alleging EVM tampering. Suspecting EVM tampering massive protests had erupted outside a strong room where EVMs were kept before counting. The protestors complained that a tehsildar and few others had entered the strong room on Tuesday.
As per reports, Anand Pawar, an independent candidate sat on a dharna outside the strong room after a tehsildar, two patwaris and technicians allegedly entered the room for replacing the CCTV monitor installed outside the strong room. However, officials tried to pacify the protestors by saying that they would be provided with the CCTV footage to show no tampering is taking place.
State Congress unit led a delegation of leaders including state in-charge P L Punia, state head Bhupesh Baghel, Campaign Committee chairman Charandas Mahant and others to the Chief Electoral Officer’s residence last evening. However, after they were informed that the officer is at his office, the delegation reached the office. They alleged EVM tampering since the tehsildar and others were inside the strong room for a couple of hours with mobile phones and laptops.
Congress’ obsession with EVMs has reached such level that a few days back, a Congress worker died of cold after being outdoors for hours in a bid to ‘protect the EVMs’.
Elections were held in Chhattisgarh in two phases, with polling concluded on 20th November. The results will be declared on 11th December 2018 along with other states, Rajasthan, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana.