AMBERNATH: On the eve of the Ambernath Municipal Council elections, the Shiv Sena on Friday late evening raised serious allegations of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering at a polling booth under Panel No. 5, creating a stir in the political atmosphere just hours before voting is scheduled to take place.Shiv Sena candidate Shailesh Bhoir alleged that at polling booths located at South Indian College in Ambernath, boxes of five EVM machines were found opened, raising suspicion of possible tampering. Bhoir claimed that a video of the incident is available, allegedly showing EVM boxes being opened. He further pointed out that Tushar Telange, brother of a BJP candidate, was present at the location at the time, which, according to Bhoir, has deepened doubts over the incident.Demanding immediate action, the Shiv Sena leader Gopal Landge has called for a thorough investigation and insisted that the allegedly opened EVM boxes be replaced with new ones before polling begins. The party has maintained that voting should only proceed on this particular booth after ensuring complete transparency and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.However, election officials have categorically denied the allegations. Speaking to TOI, Vijay Sharma, Returning Officer clarified that there was no tampering with the EVMs. The official stated that the presiding officer had opened the EVM boxes only to check the battery status and ensure that the machines were functioning properly. The officer acknowledged that such checks are normally conducted during the mock poll, which is held about an hour before the start of voting, and not on the previous day.“We have checked all the machines thoroughly and found no signs of tampering whatsoever. The EVMs are safe and secure,” the election officer said.With polling scheduled for Saturday, the incident has heightened political tension in Ambernath. Election authorities have assured voters that all necessary safeguards are in place to ensure free, fair and transparent elections, urging citizens to participate in the democratic process without fear or doubt.
