SP-BSP workers have stationed themselves outside all strongrooms for EVMs in UP and are keeping a 24X7 watch

MEERUT: Amid talks of EVM rigging surfacing from some parts of UP, an army of EVM ‘chowkidars’ consisting of UP alliance workers and supporters is stationed outside all the strongrooms of the state and is keeping a 24x7 eye on every movement around it.

At one such camp in Meerut , the atmosphere is a little tense. Two tents have been built and the supporters are guarding the strong room in three shifts of eight hours each outside Katai Mill in Meerut’s Partapur area. One of them keeps a binocular handy.

“We set up our camp on the evening of April 11, hours after polling ended. We have been on vigil here since then,” says Subash Pradhan, BSP district president, Meerut.

“The main group comprises 18 Mahagathbandhan supporters from all the three parties. They have been issued passes and can go up to the barricades close to the EVM strongroom,” he added.

The main tent is equipped with a mattress laid out on a raised platform, which is doubling up as bed for people to rest. A king size cooler is keeping the temperature bearable amid heated discussions over exit poll outcomes.

Some of these supporters are deployed to continuously watch CCTV feed from outside the strongroom on two monitors installed at another tent. Supporters also use binoculars to monitor activity inside the premises and suspicious movements are reported to senior party leaders who follow it up with the local election officials.

“The tent is approximately 200m away from the strongroom. Binoculars make it easier for us to keep a watch on the activities inside and the night vision ensures the monitoring after dawn as well,” Shera Jaat, a Samajwadi Party supporter said.

Incidents of EVM fraud and manipulation have been reported from Jhansi, Mirzapur, Ghazipur and Chandauli in UP. Videos went viral on social media showing EVMs being transported in open vehicles. The EC, in an official release, rubbished all the allegations.

