Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Voting will be held in three phases for 14 Lok Sabha seats in the north-eastern state of Assam. Under the first phase, voting will be held on 5 seats on April 19, but before the elections, a case of alleged disappearance of a Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machine from Bhergaon of Darrang-Udalguri Lok Sabha seat has come to light. Has come to the fore. After the disappearance of VVPAT machine Lok Sabha Elections Questions are also being raised on its transparency.
Actually, elections for Darrang-Udalguri parliamentary seat of Assam will be held on April 26 under the second phase. Apart from this seat, voting will also be held on Diphu, Karimganj, Silchar and Nagaon Lok Sabha seats on this day. The last phase of elections in Assam will be held on May 7 under the third phase in which Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Barpeta and Guwahati Lok Sabha seats are mainly included. The results of all these seats will be declared together on June 4, 2024.
Demand for immediate investigation to build confidence in the democratic process
According to an India Today NE report, as per the distribution schedule, a total of 267 machines were allotted to Bhergaon, out of which the identity of one machine is not known at present. A demand has also been made to immediately investigate this matter to ensure fairness and transparency of the electoral process. There is also a demand to emphasize on resolving this immediately so that distrust is not created in the democratic process.
‘Negligence in duty will not be tolerated’
In this matter, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Assam said that some reports have been circulated in the media regarding the shortage of one VVPAT machine in Udalguri district. Investigation has already been started in this matter. The CEO said that if any kind of irregularity or negligence is done regarding EVMs, it will not be tolerated at all. Clear and unambiguous orders have been issued regarding this. Strict action will also be taken against those who are negligent in duty.
