Speculations, finger pointings end in anti-climax
Ukhrul EVMs found intact, EC team satisfied
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 31 2010: The Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in the three Assembly Constituencies of Ukhrul district in the general election of 2007 and being kept in the strong room were checked today by North East in charge of the Election Commission of India, SK Rudola together with candidates and their agents.

Boxes containing the EVMs were found with their seals intact.

SK Rudola along with Joint CEO N Praveen and Assistant CEO K Kono inspected the EVMs inside the treasury strong room of Ukhrul police station this afternoon.

As cash was being kept in the strong room, it was found guarded by personnel of 6th MR in addition to police.

The ECI team, along with agents and candidates at Ukl to check the EVMs

On seeing the seals of the boxes containing the EVMs intact, ECI secretary Rudola said that he was satisfied.

As it was a treasury strong room, the room was closed immediately so as to bar entry of any individual.

Notably, one RTI activist based at New Delhi filed a complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner alleging that polling in Phungyar, Chingai and Ukhrul constituencies were manipulated.

Following a contention filed by the Election Commission at Delhi High Court that no information can be provided if there was no election petition within 45 days after election, the Delhi High Court issued a ruling saying that no information should be furnished.

Subsequently, the RTI activist filed another petition at a double bench of Delhi High Court.

There were 141 EVMs in the strong room visited by the ECI secretary.

On being asked by some candidates as to how one ascertain that the EVMs kept in the strong room were those used in the Assembly elections of 2007, the officials clarified that the EVMs kept in the strong room were sealed and deposited there after the elections.

The officials further observed that there was no separate enclosure for the EVMs.

The secretary stated that they were only checking whether the seals of the boxes containing the EVMs were broken or not.

They could not open the boxes and check the EVMs as a complaint is pending in the Court, he clarified.