Jodhpur: In the lead-up to the assembly election results in the state, an alarming incident has emerged just a day before the outcome. The case involves the disappearance of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) control unit in Jodhpur. According to reports, Pankaj Jakhar, a lecturer at the Polytechnic College, who was assigned duty along with the Sector Officer and acted as a magistrate for the polling booth area of SP School from the PWD Circle in Jodhpur city during the 2023 Assembly elections, filed a report at the Uday Mandir Police Station.
During the election day in Jodhpur city, Pankaj Jakhar, deputed as a magistrate, was accompanying the Sector Officer to oversee the polling booth area from Polytechnic College. The magistrate’s vehicle contained four reserved EVM machines, including the control unit, VVPAT, and ballot unit. These machines were designated as reserves to ensure smooth polling in case of any malfunction at a polling center. However, after the conclusion of the voting process, when the EVMs were being deposited at the Polytechnic College that night, it was discovered that one control unit was missing from the magistrate’s vehicle.
Despite extensive searches, the control unit could not be located. The incident was promptly reported to the Election Commission. Acting on the Commission’s directive, the District Election Officer of Jodhpur suspended Pankaj Jakhar on November 26. Additionally, the services of the Home Guard, who was on duty, were terminated. The missing EVM control unit in Jodhpur was unpolled, meaning no votes were cast on it. Consequently, re-polling would be necessary in that specific area of the assembly constituency.
The Election Commission has taken this matter of the missing EVM control unit in Jodhpur extremely seriously, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Investigations are ongoing, and the incident raises concerns about the security and integrity of the electoral process.