RO holds meet of political representatives; shows CCTV footage

Members of the different political parties have expressed sharp reactions over suspected tampering of seal in a strong room where EVMs have been kept amidst full security at Jharsuguda. After completion of votes in first phase in two Assembly constituencies of the district and the Bargarh Parliament constituency, the EVMs have been kept in the Jharsuguda Engineering School’s strong room with proper seals in presence of the police, senior officials and representatives of the political parties.

But a police officer on duty informed the Returning Officer- cum- Sub Collector as to a loose seal of one of the locks in strong room (42). Immediately, the Returning Officer called representatives of various political parties and drew their attention on the matter and set the seal right in their presence.

But the leaders raised objection over the issue. When the police officer on duty informed the matter on April 24, why was not the same matter intimated to the Chief Election Officer (CEO), Bhubaneswar, they asked.

“We smell a rat in the matter,” said BJP nominee for Brajrajnagar Assembly seat Radharanai Panda. However, the Returning Officer showed the CC TV coverage to the representatives where there was no instance of tampering with the seal or any movement of the outsiders to the spot.

“Since EVMs have been kept in tight security, the apprehension for seal or EVM tampering has no standing,” said the returning officer. During the discussion and re-sealing, the representatives of Congress, BJD, BJP and other political parties were present.