Reserve EVMs Discovered in SUV at Solapur Dhaba After Rural Polls
In a startling incident that has raised eyebrows in political circles, two Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were found inside a hired SUV parked at a roadside dhaba in Mohol, Solapur. This discovery occurred several hours after the conclusion of voting for the crucial rural body elections on Saturday.
Officials Clarify: Machines Were From Reserve Stock
Election authorities were quick to respond, stating emphatically that the EVMs in question were part of the official reserve stock. These backup machines are standard protocol, designated for immediate deployment only in the event of a malfunction with the primary EVMs used during actual polling.
Mohol Returning Officer Seema Holkar provided a detailed account of the sequence of events. According to her statement, the zonal officer responsible for the security and transport of these reserve EVMs had left them inside the SUV that was hired specifically for election duty. The vehicle was subsequently parked near the dhaba.
"We immediately contacted the driver upon learning of the situation," Holkar explained. "The driver informed us that he had left the SUV with the vehicle's owner. The owner operates a paan shop in close proximity to the dhaba and had requested the zonal officers to collect the machines at their earliest convenience."
The returning officer further assured the public and stakeholders, "We are absolutely certain and can confirm that all EVMs which were actually used for polling were secured and transported directly to the designated strong room immediately after voting ended. There is no compromise on the integrity of the polled votes."
Political Reaction and Demand for Repoll
Despite the official clarification, the incident has not gone without political controversy. Umesh Patil, the Solapur district chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has formally raised objections and demanded a repoll for the specific polling booth to which these reserve EVMs were originally assigned.
Patil's demand underscores the heightened sensitivity and scrutiny surrounding election machinery and procedures, especially in the context of local body elections which often see closely contested races. The call for a repoll highlights concerns over procedural lapses, even if the machines involved were not part of the active voting process.
The incident serves as a reminder of the stringent protocols required in the handling of election equipment. While officials maintain that the integrity of the election remains intact, the discovery of EVMs in a public place post-voting has inevitably sparked debate and calls for greater accountability in the electoral process.
