With polling for the first phase of Assembly elections held in Gujarat, the Congress on Thursday complained to the Election Commission over the security of electronic voting machines amid allegations that the Gujarat Police will be in charge of the machines after voting.
Congress wrote to the EC seeking an investigation into the allegations of electoral fraud in Gujarat and cited reports that the Tripura State Rifles, which has been deployed for Gujarat polls, has been asked to maintain distance from polling booths post voting. The Congress has alleged that EVMs are being handled by Gujarat Police and they will be in charge of securing these machines after polling is over. "Post completion of polling process, the soldiers have additionally been directed not to accompany electronic voting machines to their respective secured storage places, and that specifically two officers of Gujarat Police will be in charge of securing EVMs. "If the above allegations are found to be true, an essential and fundamental feature of a democracy - conducting free and fair elections - shall be threatened.
The use of police officers who are in direct control of ruling party of the state cannot therefore be allowed to accompany ballot boxes to their secure locations in absence of a third neutral party (TSR soldiers)," the Congress said in its complaint to the EC.
"We urge you to initiate a thorough probe into these serious allegations of electoral fraud in state of Gujarat threatening to violate Indian democracy," the party said.