A young man in Nanded caught vandalising an EVM with an axe

EVMs installed in the Chamrajnagar area too were damaged

Nanded, Maharashtra – A youth named Bhanudas Bhadke used an axe to damage the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at the Ramtirtha polling station, rendering the device inoperable. While committing the act, he shouted, “I am doing this to prevent fraud.” When the polling station staff attempted to intervene, he resisted their efforts. The police present at the scene apprehended him. Fortunately, the votes stored in the control unit remain secure, as confirmed by the concerned staff, despite the damage to the device. Approximately 500 people had already cast their votes at this polling station. The incident occurred on 26th April, during the Lok Sabha polls held across 88 seats in 13 states of the country.

Meanwhile, at a polling station in Indignatha village, Chamarajnagar district, Karnataka, two groups clashed over the decision whether to vote or boycott the election. This dispute led to damage to the EVM. Initially, the villagers had intended to boycott the election due to the perceived lack of development in the village. However, after receiving assurances from local officials, the villagers proceeded with the voting process.

Editorial Perspective

What was the Police doing till the youth wielding an axe approached the voting machine ?