What Rules Did EC Officials Violate?
In this context, it is relevant to look at EC’s instructions regarding storage of polled EVMs from December 2018.
The EC says, “Under no circumstances will any person take any EVM, whether polled EVM or reserved EVM, in the custody of sector officers, to his home or any private place. All polled EVMs and all reserved EVMs after the poll shall be under cover of armed police at all times.”
Did BJP MLA Also Violate the Rules?
It has been established that the vehicle did belong to the wife of BJP candidate Krishnendu Paul. The vehicle with the said registration number has even been listed as part of his wife’s wealth in his 2021 election affidavit.
The people present in the car are also in violation of EC norms and can be charged with participating in an electoral malpractice.
According to Section 135 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951: “If the Presiding officer of a polling station has reason to believe that any person has removed ballot paper…