EVM transport and campaign bans in Assam

In the last Assembly elections in Assam saw the Election Commission at the centre of two controversies. In the first, an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) was found in a private vehicle belonging to a political party candidate’s spouse.

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The Commission’s transport protocol for polled and reserve EVMs dictates that the voting machines, under no circumstances, should be taken in private custody or a private place.

And also, that all EVMs, after voting is complete, should be under cover of armed police at all times.

So, the polling party’s decision to hitch a ride in a private vehicle amounted to taking the EVM (used in Polling Station 149 of Ratabari seat) and hence was a violation of the EC’s rules.

While saying that the seal of the EVM was intact, the EC ordered repoll for polling station 149.