Election Commission of India rejects EVM mishandling charges

"Certain complaints of alleged movement of EVMs, purportedly to replace the polled EVMs in the strongrooms, have been doing the rounds in sections of media. Election Commission of India would like to emphatically and unambiguously clarify that all such reports and allegations are absolutely false, and factually incorrect. The visuals seen viral on media do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls," the Commission said in a statement.

"After the close of polls, all polled EVMs and VVPATs are brought under security cover to the designated strongrooms, which is sealed with double locks, in the presence of the candidates and in the presence of Observers of the Election Commission," it said.

"The entire process of storage and sealing of the strongroom is covered under videography. Continuous CCTV coverage is done till completion of counting. Each strongroom is guarded with round-the-clock security by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Further, the candidates or their designated agents remain present at the strongroom for 24X7 vigil at all times," the Commission posted.

The ECI further said: "On the counting day, the strongrooms are opened in the presence of the candidates/agents and Observer under videography. Before the counting of EVMs commences, the counting agents are shown the address tags, seals and serial number of the EVMs to satisfy themselves to the genuineness and authenticity of the machinesused in the actual polls."

"As can be appreciated, the detailed administrative protocols, security framework and procedural guidelines mandated by the Commission completely foreclose and pre-empt the possibility of any mischief or manipulation in the polled EVMs and VVPATs stored in the designated strongrooms under the 24X7 watch of the CAPF as well as the candidates," it said.

The ECI said the 'aspersions in clips being used in media' merely pertain to the storage or movement of Reserve unused EVMs.

"However any case of lapse even in handling of Reserve EVMs is thoroughly investigated and disciplinary action taken against the officers responsible," read the statement.

An EVM Control Room 011- 23052123 will also be functioning at Nirvachan Sadan for handling any EVM related complaints till the completion of counting.

This will become operative from 11am on 22.5.2019.

Ex-President Pranab Mukherjee expresses concern:

Former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday expressed his concern over the issue.

"I am concerned at reports of alleged tampering of voter's verdict," Mukherjee said in a statement.

"The safety and security of EVMs which are in the custody of ECI is the responsibility of the commission," he said.

The last phase of Lok Sabha polling was held on Sunday.

Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

All major Exit Polls have predicted that PM Narendra Modi and his government will return to power at the Centre.