Punjab elections 2017: AAP remains on tenterhooks over security of EVMs

Days after Punjab and Haryana High Court directed Election Commission to ensure complete security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Punjab on a petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), party candidates continue to remain on tenterhooks raising suspicions over security outside strong rooms in the state.

After questioning inadequate security in Taran Taran, Jalandhar, Ludhiana districts, AAP candidate from Nabha in Patiala, Gurdev Singh complained to EC after he objected to some district officials shifting trunks carrying EVMs from the building where the strongroom is set up.

“When our candidate spotted officials shifting some trunks carrying EVMs, he raised alarm and complained. It is in violation of the model code of conduct, as EVMs cannot be moved till declaration of results. We have strong suspicion that it was an attempt to tamper with the voting machines,” said Dr Balbir Singh, AAP candidate who is locked into contest with Congress' Captain Amarinder Singh from Patiala (urban).

The allegations were dismissed by DC Patiala, Ramvir Singh who stated that the trunks carried EVMs used in Municipal elections in 2015 and had no relation with EVMs of Assembly elections which were lying in another sealed room.

“The intention was to create more space for supporting staff for counting of votes on March 11 by shifting the used machines of MC elections in another room in the same building. A prior notice was given to all candidates informing about it. But still we stopped, when they objected,” said DC Patiala, asserting that is adequate security outside the strong room.

However, AAP stood the ground and complained to EC demanding that officials concerned be suspended and security outside the strong room be replaced. “We are not guarding the EVMs, but we are guarding our democracy,” said the AAP candidate.

The reaction has been coming from AAP candidates in various other districts in Punjab, eversince the elections took place. While AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal had begun criticizing EC on the polling day, after polling was interrupted due to faulty EVMs, the party has stepped up their tirade against EC by urging its volunteers to camp outside record rooms round the clock, terming EC approach as "lackadaisical".

​A day after the party complained against the shifting of old EVMs from the strong room in Nabha in Patiala, it has now appealed to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Punjab to completely restrict any activity within the compound where EVMs are kept.

Though EC has clarified that EVMs removed by district officials in Nabha were those used in MC election in 2015, but AAP Punjab Convener Gurpreet Singh Waraich called it an unusual and suspected action. “Akali Dal leaders were frustrated over imminent defeat and they can go to any extent to sabotage the EVMs. So, no official should be allowed to go beyond first circle of security,” alleged the AAP leader.

Despite three-tier security of central forces and local police, strengthened by CCTV surveillance, AAP volunteers continue to camp outside the strong  rooms in several districts including Mansa apart from inspecting the
​ strong room with officials.

“We do not trust the police or the administration. People have trusted us with their votes and we are responsible for safeguarding it,” said another AAP candidate from Gill constituency, Jiwan Singh Sanghowal who leveled allegations against the Returning officer for allegedly trespassing into the premises of the strong room. The allegations were later termed baseless by the district administration.

Even as AAP continues to deride the electoral process, both Congress and SAD have slammed the new entrant for questioning the democratic set-up.

Punjab Congress President Captain Amarinder Singh lambasted AAP for dragging the EC in ugly quagmire of allegations and counter-allegations and said it was an excessive display of paranoia by the party in the face of its imminent defeat. 

“The entire drama is being staged by Kejriwal to justify their eventual electoral defeat. There should be some provision in the EC to penalize political parties found making unsubstantiated complaints,” said Singh.

Terming it as a panic reaction, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spokesperson, Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said, “Such baseless complaints exposes AAP’s anxiety post the elections. They thought it was easy to win Punjab, but ever since the polling concluded, they have been showing signs of panic and have started the blame game,” said Cheema.

Reacting to statements that only AAP is concerned about security of EVMs, Cheema said, “We have been fighting elections since decades and are well-versed with the electoral process. We know that there is three-tier security for EVMs and state government has no role to play in it. We trust the process, unlike Kejriwal who begins questioning EC on day of polling itself.”

Soon after conclusion of polls on February 4, AAP had convened a meeting of all its candidates and directed them to keep vigil outside record rooms suspecting attempts to tamper with the process. The party maintains that their volunteers will continue to camp outside strong rooms in various districts in their tents till the day of counting.