Press Any EVM Button – Vote Goes To BJP!
Meerut: Even as voting is underway in the first phase of Uttar Pradesh Municipal elections, several complaints have surfaced in Meerut about EVMs voting only for the BJP.
In ward number 89 of the western UP city, people complained that EVM is casting votes only for the BJP no matter which button is pressed. This led to some ruckus in the polling booth. Later the Divisional Commissioner of Meerut Dr. Prabhat Kumar told the media that the complaint was being looked into.
यूपी निकाय चुनाव: मेरठ (रशीद नगर)- ईवीएम में बटन हाथी का दबाया तो लाइट भाजपा व नोटा की जली #EVMTempering #EVMSCam pic.twitter.com/uNC70KIH7o
— Bahujan4India (@Bahujan4India) November 22, 2017
Another incident was reported from Dhavai Nagar locality of Meerut where the machine was voting for BJP and NOTA in case any button was pressed. A BSP supporter who went to vote in Dhavai Nagar recorded the incident on his phone showing how once he pressed on the button for the BSP candidate the vote was registered in the account of BJP and NOTA.
He later uploaded the video on social media which created a huge uproar. Later voting was immediately stopped and was resumed only after the EVM was replaced.
Similarly EVM malfunctioning was reported from ward number 55 at South DUJ Inter college in Gorakhpur. The EVM did not work for around one and half hour due to which the voting process was halted. Not even a single vote was cast till 10 am which led to long queues in the booth.
The incidents were reported amid strong claims by the opposition that EVM was not tampering proof. But the additional state election commissioner Ved Prakash told the media that no EVM in Meerut was tampered with. He rejected the allegation of EVM tampering and said the “claims of EVM tampering are false”.
The civic body polls hold extreme significance because it is first test of the Yogi Adityanath government and the results would be seen as people’s mandate on six month of Adityanath’s rule.
Ruckus was also reported from Harsh Nagar area of Kanpur over the issue of “rigged EVM”.
Samajwadi Party has alleged that EVMs have been rigged to favour the BJP candidates amid several news reports coming from different parts of the State. The party highlighted the incidents being reported from Meerut and Kanpur.
The polls which are being touted as litmus test for the BJP, saw active campaigning from the CM Adityanath. He addressed over 30 meetings in the State. Also the party, for the first time ever, released a manifesto for the civic body polls.
BJP had won 11 out of the 13 mayoral seats in 2012. Interestingly the poll results which will be out on December 11, will also reflect on the future of the BSP, SP and Congress in the state and their declining prospects. The results will be an indicator of the public mood about the six month of Adityanath’s rule in the State.
Municipal elections are being held today in 24 districts of the State in its first phase.
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