Punjab: AAP alleges trespass in EVM strongroom

Aam Aadmi Party leader H.S. Phoolka told the media that the complaint was filed against the returning officer of Gill constituency, Gagandeep Singh Virk.

Ludhiana, Feb 6: Alleging that some officials had trespassed into a strong room where electronic voting machines were kept, the AAP on Monday filed a complaint with the police and the Election Commission.

Aam Aadmi Party leader H.S. Phoolka told the media that the complaint was filed against the returning officer of Gill constituency, Gagandeep Singh Virk, for alleged breach of the strongroom.

The complaint said that Virk and other officers entered the strongroom at the Punjab Agricultural University campus in Ludhiana on Monday and objections by AAP leaders were brushed aside.

Phoolka said it was stated in the complaint that the EVMs could have been tampered with.

"Entering the strongroom where EVMs are kept is illegal and against law. The concerned candidates of the constituency were not informed," he said, adding that strict action should be taken against Virk and others.

He said when AAP leaders asked Virk and the officials why they entered the strongroom, the latter maintained they had left behind some valuables there which they wanted to take back.

Election to the 117 assembly seats in Punjab were held on February 4. The fate of 1,145 candidates has been sealed in the EVMs.

The vote count will take place on March 11.

The state saw a triangular contest among the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP combine, the Congress and the AAP.

IANS