EVMs were marked for training of officials for counting duty, clarifies EC on Akhilesh's allegation
Lucknow (PTI): Hours after the Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav claimed that a truck carrying EVMs was "intercepted" in Varanasi, the Election Commission clarified that these EVMs were "marked for training" of officials who will be on duty during the counting of votes and were not used in elections.
In a statement issued here late on Tuesday night, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer of UP said that a "'rumour was spread by people of some political party by stopping the vehicle and alleging that these EVMs were used in elections".
"According to the report sent by the District Election Officer (of Varanasi), it was found during the investigation that these EVMs were marked for training.
"To train the officials involved in counting duty, training has been organised for March 9 (Wednesday)," it said
The statement said the second training of the employees engaged in counting duty is on Wednesday and "these machines are always used in training for hands-on training".
"These EVMs were being taken for training today, and rumour was spread by people of some political party by stopping the vehicle, and alleging that these EVMs were used in elections," the statement said.
The UP CEO office also said that all the EVMs used for voting are sealed inside the strongroom and secured in a three-tier security cordon of the central paramilitary forces.
These machines are completely isolated and secure and are continuously monitored by CCTVs throughout the day (24x7).
The District Election Officer of Varanasi has informed the representatives of various political parties regarding this, the statement said.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav earlier accused the ruling BJP of trying to steal votes, saying that a truck carrying EVMs was "intercepted" in Varanasi while two others got away.
Counting of votes will take place on March 10.
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TN govt reaffirms 21-yr age limit for liquor sales
Chennai (PTI): Seeking to curb rising alcohol consumption among minors in the state, the Tamil Nadu government has reinforced the legal age requirement of 21 for all liquor purchases and consumption.
The government has also ordered the closure of 717 liquor outlets across the state and warned of strict action against those who violate the new directives.
The state-owned Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), the agency which holds a monopoly on sales of liquor, will be shutting 276 outlets near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions and 255 outlets near bus stations.
A senior TASMAC official on Thursday said that the staff at liquor shops have been instructed to check identity proof, including Aadhaar card, for all customers whose age is in question.
The official also said that the state government is considering a reduction in operational hours.
Currently, the liquor shops across the state operate from 12 noon to 10 pm.
"They are weighing a proposal to move the closing time to 8 pm," he added.
At present, the TASMAC operates a total of 4,765 liquor shops across the state. After the closure of 717 shops, it would come down to 4,048 outlets.
In 2025, the revenue from liquor sales stood at Rs 48,344 crore, which is the second highest after the registration department.
