In a bizarre case, two electronic voting machines (EVM) units were found from a garbage dump in Borsad of Anand district on July 2.
The discarded EVMs were found from an old vegetable market in the Bhobha Fali area of Borsad. The Anand Collector received a message regarding this on July 2 morning.
Sources said that during the primary investigation, the administration found that these EVMs were the ballot unit and reserve ballot unit used for Ward No. 9 during the 2018 Amiyad village Panchayat bye-elections.
The Collector instructed the Borsad deputy collector to conduct a thorough probe.
Both EVM units were seized by the deputy collector, who also directed the Borsad Town police inspector (PI) to investigate and submit a detailed report.
No other election-related materials were found alongside the discarded units.
A comprehensive report, including details of the officers and employees on duty during the election, was submitted to the district election officer (DEO) and the collector. Additionally, a show cause notice was issued to those responsible.
The matter has also been reported to the state election commission office.
Amit Chavda, leader of the Congress in Gujarat Assembly, told Vibes of India that this is sheer negligence on the state government’s part. He further alleged that prima facie it appears that something wrong has happened.
Chavda said they have demanded an inquiry from the Anand Collector. The Congress leader questioned why the EVMs are not in the missing category in the administration’s records if they claim that these were used a few years ago in the village panchayat elections.
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