India: Election Commission seeks report on VVPAT dispensing BJP slips in Madhya Pradesh
Follow UsThe Election Commission of India has sought a report from the district electoral officer on media reports alleging an EVM malfunction during a trial at Bhind in Madhya Pradesh, according to PTI.
According to media reports, VVPAT in Bhind was only dispensing slips of BJP symbol during the trial.
"We have sought a detailed report from district election officer and would come up with a response in the evening," a Commission spokesperson said.
"We have sought a detailed report from district election officer and would come up with a response in the evening," a Commission spokesperson said.
An Assembly bypoll is due in Bhind next week and the demonstration was part of the familiarisation exercise.
VVPAT is a machine which dispenses a slip with the symbol of the party for which a person has voted for. The slip drops in a box but the voter cannot take it home.
According to media reports, the receipt showed the vote going to BJP, irrespective of the button pressed, during the demonstration.
The reports also claimed that Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Madhya Pradesh, Saleena Singh was seen telling journalists that the news should not appear in newspapers, else they would be detained at the police station.
The development comes days after several political parties had alleged that the EVMs were tampered with in Uttar Pradesh Assembly election and also in Punjab.
(WION with inputs from PTI)