NCP leader alleges foul play as cameras off for nearly an hour after polls; Election Commission urged to investigate
Screengrab of the video shared by Sule, showing CCTV display disabled. Pic/X
NCP (SP) leader and candidate for the Baramati constituency, Supriya Sule, shared a video on her official X handle on Monday, alleging that the CCTV cameras in the godown where the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) were stored after the poll were switched off for 45 minutes.
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“The CCTV cameras of the godown were switched off for 45 minutes this morning (Monday). When something as important as EVMs is kept, the cameras being switched off is suspicious. This is a significant lapse,” Supriya Sule wrote on X. “Our election representative did not get satisfactory answers from the concerned authority; no technician was available at the place,” she added.
Supriya Sule urged the Election Commission to immediately take notice of this and disclose the reason why the cameras were switched off. The Baramati constituency this time witnessed high-voltage political drama, as Supriya Sule is contesting against Sunetra Pawar, wife of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
The returning officer for Baramati said, “We have investigated the claim made by the party. It was found that an electrician at the godown had removed a cable, which caused the display unit to shut down. However, there is no harm to the EVMs or data. Also, the recording of the CCTV is intact.”