Gaurav Gogoi alleges EVM security lapse, questions BJP's win post-exit polls

Gaurav Gogoi alleges EVM security lapse, questions BJP's win post-exit polls | Quick Digest
Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi has alleged that BJP workers were found inside EVM strong rooms, raising concerns about electoral integrity and dismissing exit poll predictions. He claimed the BJP cannot win on its own and is attempting to manipulate results, while the Election Commission has stated all protocols were followed. The Lok Sabha election results for Assam are scheduled for June 4, 2024.

Key Highlights

  • Gogoi alleged BJP workers present inside EVM strong rooms.
  • He questioned the Election Commission's actions regarding strong room security.
  • Gogoi dismissed exit polls as 'TRP games' and not indicative of actual results.
  • He expressed confidence in a Congress victory and a shift in support.
  • Election Commission maintains all security protocols for EVMs were followed.
  • The Lok Sabha election results for Assam are declared on June 4, 2024.
Gaurav Gogoi, President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee and a Member of Parliament for Jorhat, has raised serious allegations regarding the security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Assam. He claimed that BJP workers were observed inside EVM strong rooms in remote areas of the state, questioning the Election Commission of India's (ECI) vigilance and stating that such actions indicate an attempt by the BJP to secure a victory through 'theft' rather than on merit [6, 27, 30]. Gogoi asserted that the BJP cannot win elections on its own, implying a reliance on manipulating the electoral process [6]. These allegations come in the wake of exit polls for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Assam, which predominantly predicted a significant victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Most exit polls suggested the NDA could win around 11-12 out of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam, with the Congress securing a much smaller number [3, 4, 5]. Gogoi dismissed these exit polls as merely 'TRP games' and called for introspection within the polling agencies, suggesting they do not reflect the true public sentiment [6]. He expressed confidence that support is shifting towards the Congress, with people reaching out to express their desire for change [6]. The Election Commission of India has robust protocols in place for the security and storage of EVMs. These include the deployment of central armed police forces, double-lock systems for strong rooms (with keys held by different officials), 24/7 CCTV surveillance, and logbooks to record all entries. Representatives of political parties are also typically allowed to be present during the sealing and unsealing of strong rooms, and their seals can be affixed to the locks. The ECI has stated that all protocols were followed in Assam [14, 15, 19, 21]. Gaurav Gogoi's concerns echo broader discussions and skepticism surrounding EVMs in India. He has previously called for the Election Commission to release data on faulty EVMs, questioning their infallibility and demanding transparency in the electoral process [10, 13, 22]. His statements align with a narrative often put forth by opposition parties questioning the integrity of EVMs and the electoral system, especially when facing unfavorable exit poll predictions or results [10, 13, 22]. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Assam were held in three phases on April 19, April 26, and May 7, with a high voter turnout exceeding 80% [3, 20]. The counting of votes and declaration of results for all 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam is scheduled for June 4, 2024 [20, 23, 24]. In summary, Gaurav Gogoi's accusations highlight ongoing political tensions and scrutiny surrounding electoral processes in India. While he alleges malpractices and dismisses exit polls, the Election Commission maintains that its security protocols are sufficient to ensure the integrity of the vote counting process. The final results on June 4 will determine the actual electoral outcome in Assam.

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific allegations has Gaurav Gogoi made regarding EVMs in Assam?

Gaurav Gogoi has alleged that BJP workers were seen inside EVM strong rooms in remote parts of Assam, raising concerns about the security and integrity of the voting machines and questioning the Election Commission's oversight.

How did Gaurav Gogoi react to the exit poll predictions for Assam?

Gogoi dismissed the exit polls as 'TRP games' and not reflective of the actual outcome, suggesting they are used to create a narrative rather than accurately predict results. He expressed confidence in a Congress victory.

What are the Election Commission of India's security measures for EVMs?

The ECI has detailed protocols including 24/7 CCTV surveillance of strong rooms, double-lock systems, deployment of armed security personnel, and logbooks to record all entries. Representatives of political parties are generally allowed to be present during sealing and unsealing processes.

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