Ranchi: A day after politicians and journalists were beaten up by police while protesting tampering with EVMs after voting in Ranchi constituency, the BJP Friday demanded a judicial probe in the allegations while the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) sought the poll be countermanded and a fresh election held.
“We demand a judicial probe in tampering of the EVM machines,” Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate Ramtahal Chaudhary told reporters. Party leader C.P. Singh, who was also present, accused Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Vinay Chaube of “working as agent of Congress”.
JVM-P candidate Amitabh Chaudhary has questioned the taking the EVM machines to another location instead of the strong room, while party general secretary Rajiv Ranjan demanded countermanding of the poll.
Some politicians and journalists were beaten up by Ranchi police after some candidates and their supporters complained of tampering with the electronic voting machines.
The incident happened Thursday night when reports of EVMs being allegedly tampered with in Ranchi spread. The political parties came to know about it and informed the district administration.
The BJP, JVM-P candidates and Trinamool Congress candidate Bandhu Tirkey reached the spot with their supporters.
However, according to police, the supporters of various parties misbehaved with the woman officer who was in-charge of the EVMs, and a baton charge had to be undertaken to disperse the mobs and control the situation.
The candidates of the BJP, JVM-P and TMC and journalists covering the incident were all allegedly beaten up.
Jharkhand chief electoral officer P.K. Jajorioa also reached the spot and sought to refute the allegations.
“Everything took place due to some confusion. No malpractice has been done,” he told reporters.