DMK claims 30 EVMs for bypoll in Tamil Nadu shifted suddenly
Chennai, Oct 13: The DMK on Sunday alleged 30 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) meant for the October 21 Nanguneri Assembly by-poll in Tamil Nadu have been "suddenly shifted" for "unknown reasons."
DMK Organisation Secretary and party's Rajya Sabha member R S Bharathi wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo seeking an enquiry into the matter.
He urged the EC that the EVMs be restored back to their original place and be kept under adequate protection without giving room "for any suspicious activities.
According to information from the chief agent of Congress candidate Ruby R Manoharan, "30 EVMs which were kept for bye-election at Nanguneri Taluk Office are suddenly shifted to Tirunelveli Collectorate for unknown reasons during the mid-night of October 12," Bharathi said in his letter.
DMK's ally Congress is contesting the by-poll, necessitated due to the resignation of sitting MLA H Vasantha Kumar (Congress) following his election to the Lok Sabha from Kanyakumari in April this year.
Bharathi said there was no intimation given by any official before shifting of the EVMs, "which is totally in violation of the mandatory instructions issued" by the EC in this connection.
"Such shifting of EVMs without any intimation to political parties raises suspicion over the activities of the officials. Such practice shall be deprecated to ensure free and fair election," he said.
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Four killed, one critically injured as tractor-trolley collides with bike in UP's Kaushambi
Kaushambi (UP) (PTI): Four people were killed and another man was critically injured after a tractor-trolley collided head-on with a motorcycle near a village here on Thursday, police said.
Five people were riding on a single motorcycle when the accident took place at around 9 pm near Arka village in the Karari area, they said.
The deceased were identified as Rahul (14), Akash Saroj (25), Aman (22) and Chhotu (20), while Vikas Kaithwal (18) sustained critical injuries. All the victims were residents of Dhanpara village.
The victims were taken to the district hospital, where doctors declared four of them dead. The injured person is undergoing treatment, police said.
Following the accident, the driver fled with the tractor, leaving the trolley behind, they said.
Police are now examining CCTV footage along the route taken by the motorcycle riders.
The Circle Officer of Manjhanpur has been asked to probe the functioning of police pickets and Police Response Vehicles deployed on the route, a senior police official said.
The families of the deceased have been informed, and post-mortem examinations are being conducted, he added.
