Varanasi ADM suspended over negligence in Election

New Delhi, Mar 9 (Agency) A day after a truck loaded with EVMs was found in Varanasi, the Election Commission of India on Wednesday suspended the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of the district NK Singh for negligence in transportation of EVMs. The decision came a day after Samajwadi Party and allies alleged an EVM fraud, after the vehicle was stopped by workers of the party. Senior Deputy Commissioner of Election Commission Chandrabhushan Kumar said action has been taken against ADM in view of non-compliance of procedure related to transportation of EVM machines.

He also said that the rumors being spread about EVM machines are wrong and the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh has been directed to take action against those spreading rumours. He added that officials are being sent to oversee the counting of votes on Thursday. Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer will be going to Meerut and Bihar’s Chief Electoral Officer is being sent to Varanasi. He said that the counting of the postal ballot papers would start at 8 am and counting would continue till its completion.