Picture of TRS leader posing in front of EVMs sparks uproar

Keesara: A picture of TRS Keesara leader N Venkatesh standing in front of EVMs used in Malkajgiri Parliament constituency, which were stored in a strongroom at Holy Mary Engineering College in Keesara, led to an uproar with the Congress taking serious objection to it.

The issue was brought to the notice of Returning Officer and Medchal Collector M V Reddy. District authorities said the mischievous incident was under police investigation.

The ARO concerned was ordered to verify facts and give his report along with his explanation for taking further action.

Officials said that they took all steps for safe custody of EVMs as per ECI guidelines.

"The strongroom was locked in the presence of the representatives of all political party. It is impossible for anybody to touch or handle the machines at all and also there is 24x7 cameras surveillance," authorities said.

Meanwhile, Keesara inspector J Narender Goud stated that they received a complaint from S V R Chandra Shekar, Chief Executive Officer, Secunderabad Cantonment Board, who is the Assistant Returning officer for Secunderabad Cantonment Assembly segment of Malkajgiri Parliamentary constituency.

After completion of polling, the EVM'S and VVPATs were deposited in a strongroom at Holy Mary Engineering college at Bogaram.

While sealing the strongrooms, one person by name N Venkatesh who was a polling agent for TRS candidate, took pictures unauthorisedly in the strongroom. Based on the complaint, a case was registered under sections 447 and 188 IPC, police said.