TURA, Feb 17: In an interesting development ahead of the Assembly elections, UDP candidate from South Tura John Leslee K Sangma has written to the Returning Officer of West Garo Hills over alleged rigging of electronic voting machines (EVMs).
In a complaint, which was submitted to the RO on Friday, Sangma, while referring to a viral video, said that a BJP worker had claimed that 3,000 rigged EVMs have been manufactured in Delhi, out of which five have been brought to Garo Hills.
“The person making the speech claimed that the machines have been rigged in such a way that whichever button was pressed (NPP or TMC), all the votes will go to BJP and so everyone should vote for BJP so as not to be embarrassed in future to approach the winning candidate and miss development opportunities,” the complainant said. Arguing that such a development is of serious concern, he said, “When a political party claims that five rigged machines have entered Garo Hills to help the BJP, it needs immediate clarification and reassurance from the authorities. This statement can jeopardise the endeavour of the ECI to conduct free and fair elections.”
The UDP leader has sought a clarification from the RO in the matter as well as action against the political party or worker who, he felt, has tried to create confusion through the statement in an attempt to dupe voters.