SP chief Akhilesh Yadav alleges voting machine theft in Varanasi, DM dismisses allegations

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that electronic voting machines were being stolen from a counting centre in Varanasi. A video alleging similar theft has been circulated on social media.

District Magistrate of Varanasi Kaushal Raj Sharma dismissed the allegations and said that the EVMs that have been alleged to be stolen are not the ones that were used to vote. The EVMs that were used for voting is safe in the strong room under the custody of the Central Reserve Police Force.

He clarified that some EVMs were used for hands-on training purposes and not for voting.

On the other hand, Yadav alleged that In Varanasi, his party members intercepted one truck and two trucks fled.

“If there was no suspicious activity, how did two trucks with EVMs escape? You cannot move any EVMs from anywhere without the consent of candidates," Yadav said.

He added, "We were getting information that a principal Secretary to the Chief Minister was calling District Magistrates, saying counting should be slow wherever the BJP is losing.” He also alleged that now when the EVMs have been caught, officials are coming out with various excuses.

Yadav also took to his Twitter handle and said, "The news of EVM being caught in Varanasi is giving a message to every assembly of UP to be alert. All candidates and supporters of SP-alliance should be ready with their cameras to thwart the attempt to rigging the counting of votes. Youth become soldiers in counting of votes to protect democracy and future!”