Just hours before the crucial Ambernath Municipal Council elections were set to begin, the Shiv Sena on Friday night raised serious allegations of possible electronic voting machine (EVM) tampering at a key polling booth, creating a major stir in the political arena.
Allegations of Tampering Surface
Shiv Sena candidate Shailesh Bhoir made the explosive claim, stating that boxes containing five EVM machines were found opened at polling booths located within the South Indian College in Ambernath. The incident reportedly occurred under Panel No. 5. Bhoir expressed deep suspicion over the opened boxes, suggesting potential foul play aimed at manipulating the electoral process.
To bolster his claim, Bhoir asserted that a video recording of the incident exists, which allegedly shows the EVM boxes being opened. He further intensified the allegations by pointing out that Tushar Telange, the brother of a BJP candidate, was present at the location at the time the boxes were accessed.
Official Clarification on EVM Check
When contacted by the media, Vijay Sharma, the returning officer for the elections, provided an official clarification to counter the allegations. Sharma explained that the presiding officer at the booth had opened the EVM boxes solely for a routine and sanctioned procedure.
The purpose, according to the officer, was to check the battery status of the machines and ensure they were in perfect working condition before polling commenced. This pre-poll check is a standard operational protocol designed to guarantee the smooth functioning of EVMs and prevent any technical glitches during voting hours.
Last-Minute Tensions Before Voting
The timing of the allegation, on the very eve of the election, injected a significant dose of tension and controversy into the Ambernath civic polls. Such claims, regardless of official explanations, have the potential to influence public perception and cast a shadow over the electoral process's integrity.
This incident highlights the heightened sensitivity and scrutiny surrounding the use of EVMs in Indian elections. While authorities maintain strict protocols for machine security and functionality, opposition parties frequently raise concerns, making transparency in every step of the process paramount.
The Ambernath voters proceeded to cast their ballots amidst this backdrop of claims and counterclaims, with the electoral outcome now being eagerly awaited to see if the last-minute controversy had any impact on the ground.
