STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Assam, against the Returning Officer, Presiding Officers and Polling Officers appointed under the polling stations of Bhabanipur LAC to conduct the current bye-election in Assam for gross violation of the Rule 49V of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 in carrying the EVMs to the strong room located at Bajali College without any security arrangement.
The APCC alleged that during transmission of the EVMs of the polling stations of Bhabanipur LAC to the strong room on October 30 after completion of the polling, the vehicles carrying EVMs from the polling centres of Bhabanipur LAC were stationed at Bajali High School and thereafter, the Presiding Officers and Polling Officers appointed under the polling stations of the said LAC were seen carrying the EVMs to the strong room located at Bajali College, which is not less than 500 metres away from the Bajali High School, without any security arrangement.
The memorandum, signed by Madhurjya Choudhury, general secretary (administration), legal department, APCC, stated, "Such conduct on the part of the Presiding Officers, Polling Officers as well as the Returning Officer appointed under the polling stations of Bhabanipur LAC is not at all acceptable and the same is in sheer violation of the Rule 49V of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 which may cause hurdle in holding the current bye-election in a fair and impartial manner."
The APCC urged the CEO, Assam to look into the matter immediately and take prompt and appropriate action against the Presiding Officers, Polling Officers as well as the Returning Officer appointed under the polling stations of Bhabanipur LAC. The APCC also urged the CEO, Assam to ensure proper security arrangement at the strong room of Bhabanipur LAC.
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