There was a lapse in the protocol: Varanasi Commissioner on EVM theft allegation

The Commissioner of Varanasi, Deepak Agarwal has admitted that there was a lapse in the handling of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), however, the EVMs in question were not for voting purposes but for the training of staff.

He clarified the allegations levelled by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and his party members of theft of EVMs two days before counting of votes.

While talking to reports Agarwal said, "If you talk about the protocol for the movement of EVMs, there was a lapse in the protocol, I accept that. But I can guarantee you, it is impossible to take away machines used in voting,"

He said that EVMs are kept under tight security with CCTV cameras keeping a constant watch on them along with security guards and political party representatives at counting centres.

He said, "Political party workers can even sit outside the centres to keep an eye." After Agarwal’s comments, Samajwadi Party further alleged that it amounts to admission of the fact that there was violation of the protocol.

The Party, in a tweet tagging the Election Commission of India, said, "There is information of violations in EVMs from various districts. On whose order is this happening? Are officials under pressure from the Chief Minister's (Yogi Adityanath) Office? The Election Commission must clarify." Yadav had earlier alleged that electronic voting machines were being stolen from a counting centre in Varanasi.

“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 had said.

He had 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.