Replica EVMs seized in Thanjavur

Sources say, the flying squad led by Special Tahsildar A Vincent was engaged in vehicle check at Poondi on the Thanjavur-Nagapattinan road at around 7.30 am. When the TATA Ace vehicle was intercepted, it was found to carry an “unusual load”. After a search, it was found to be replicas of EVMs made of cardboard. 

The ‘EVM machine’ displayed the name of Tiruvarur constituency AIADMK candidate R Panneerselvam and the AIADMK symbol and had a button which would emit a beep sound when pressed. The persons transporting the ‘EVMs’, said the candidate planned to hold a demo for rural voters on voting. They were taken to Papanasam Returning Officer T Saravanan who ordered seizure of the ‘EVMs’. 

“Even if any political party wants to demonstrate use of the EVMs, they should obtain permission from Election Commission officials,” Saravanan said and added that this incident was a clear violation of rules. 

However, an official statement from CEO Rajesh Lakhoni said that only 50 cardboard EVMs were recovered at the site.