A CAR that was transporting an ElectronicVoting Machine (EVM) to the strong room was ransacked in the Mahal area after polling concluded for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, on Wednesday evening. The Central Nagpur Assembly constituency was a ‘headache’ for the administration since morning on the polling day. However, in the evening, rumours about attempts to influence the voting spread as an election officer was seen with an EVM at Zenda Chowk in Mahal. On the issue, BJP and Congress workers came face to face. Candidates from both parties tried to calm their respective workers but it didn’t work out. Seeing the tense situation, senior police officials arrived at thescene, and strong securityarrangements were made.

 

Allegations and counter-allegations continued from both parties. According to police, the PollingOfficials for the Central NagpurAssembly Segment had gone toa shop near Zenda Chowk around7 pm to get some documentsphotocopied. An official was carrying an extra EVM. SomeCongress workers saw the officer with the machine and surrounded him and questionedhim. The officer clarified that it wasan extra EVM, and had no connection with those used at thepolling booth However, when the officer attempted to leave, Congress workers surrounded him, and some of them threw stones at the Government vehicle (MH19/BU-6027). Upon receiving the information, Kotwali police arrived at the spot. Meanwhile, rumours were doing rounds that Congress workers allegedly damaged the EVM. Tensions escalated when Congress and BJP workers came face to face as BJP candidate Praveen Datke and Congress candidate Bunty Shelke also reached the scene.

 

DCP Zone 3 Mehak Swami and DCP Crime Rahul Maknikar arrived at the spot and took control of the situation.Workers from both sides were dispersed by the cops. Later, a large group of BJP workers gathered in front of Kotwali Police Station and demanded action against the Congress candidate and workers. The police safely escorted the election officer and his team to the strong room. By the time this report was written, the EVM was sealed. CP Ravinder Kumar Singal stated that the EVM had not been damaged. The tense situation arose from confusion, but the police have taken control, and efforts are being made to calm both sides down.