A video of people surrounding a truck carrying EVMs is being shared on social media, claiming that the truck was caught by the people in Gujarat.
The video was shared with a caption: In Gujarat EVM caught by the public
Here’s the link to the above post.
FACT CHECK
NewsMobile fact-checked the post, and found it to be old.
Running a keyword search, we found the same video uploaded on the YouTube Channel of Quint Hindi, dated March 8, 2022, with a title: UP Election 2022: वाराणसी में EVM चोरी का आरोप, SP कार्यकर्ताओं ने घेरी गाड़ी (English translation: UP Election 2022: Allegations of EVM theft in Varanasi, SP workers surrounded the vehicle)
A similar video taken from a different angle on YouTube channel Lalantop, dated March 8, 2022, had mentioned that the video was taken in Varanasi.
On carefully examining the video, we noticed that the boxes had yellow and pink stickers with ‘Training/Awareness EVM’ written on them.
Searching further, we found a document dated 2019, on the official website of the Election Commission, mentioning: ‘A sticker of Yellow colour shall be affixed on the CUs and BUs assigned for training and awareness programme. The sticker shall clearly indicate the Name of State/UT and the Number and Name of Assembly Constituency. “Training/Awareness” will be written on the sticker of CUs and BUs assigned for training and awareness.’
We also found a report by Indian Express stating that after Akhilesh Yadav alleged voter fraud in UP, Varanasi DM Kaushal Sharma said: “There were 20 machines that were in a pick-up truck that was stopped by people. There was confusion among the people about whether polling EVMs were being transported. All the candidates, and magistrates have been called here to clarify the same. There were 20 machines that were for training. They are not connected with polling EVMs. A hard copy of the machines that were used in polling will be given to the candidates. Also, we have decided that the training will be carried out without EVMs. Other issues will be probed.”
The same was also clarified by the EC office in a press statement.
However, upon searching further, we found multiple media reports stating that the Election Commission had directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh to initiate action against the erring officer in the Varanasi EVM matter.
As per protocols, ‘No EVM, whether or not used in polling, can be shifted without informing candidates‘. Whereas in Varanasi, neither the candidates nor the political parties were informed about the transportation of EVM, resulting in a serious breach in protocols.
ANI, in a report dated March 9, 2022, had mentioned that the Election Commission ordered action against Varanasi Additional District Magistrate NK Singh over the Varanasi EVMs matter. A report by Republic World stated that ‘the Election Commission has suspended Varanasi Additional District Magistrate NK Singh and a returning officer (RO) in Sonbhadra district. An additional election officer (AEO) in Bareilly district has also been pulled out from election duties’.
Hence, it is now clear that the video is old and not from Gujarat.
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