The Chief Electoral Officer has sought an explanation from the district election officers (DEOs) for not deleting the mock poll data in EVMs before the actual voting in the Assembly elections held on February 27, last.
The DEOs of East Jaiñtia Hills, East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, East Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills have been directed to issue necessary directions to the presiding officers where the cases were detected.
Mock polls are votes cast by the staff to check the working of the EVMs prior to the actual polling. The staff was clearly instructed to erase the data after casting these votes, but some of the officials failed to do so.
These were detected in 55-Dkhiah West under Khliehriat AC, 8-Nongkseh Pyrda & Lumpdeng B under Mylliem AC, 52-Rambrai under Rambrai-Jyrngam AC, 47-Dimit and 53-Tebil Bonegre under Songsak AC and 7-Okchokgre and 23-Raghupara under Salmanpara AC.
“You are directed to initiate necessary action against the responsible officials in the event of any deviation/violation from the Election Commission of India guidelines and protocols,” the CEO said.
