Protests by SP, BSP in Chandauli, Ghazipur

VARANASI: Several SP-BSP leaders and supporters staged demonstrations in Ghazipur and Chandauli on Monday over rumours of EVMs being changed by the administration.
While BSP's Ghazipur candidate Afzaal Ansari staged a dharna where EVMs were kept, SP MLA Prabhu Narayan Singh Yadav sat on dharna in Chandauli.
Ansari alleged that EVMs could be changed as the local administration was not providing passes to them to stay as observers.
"The dharna would continue till adequate passes are provided to us," he said.
Ghazipur district election officer K Balaji said three agents each of the 14 candidates were allowed to stay in three shifts per day at the venue. "But BSP candidate Afzaal Ansari demanded to increase the number which is not possible."
"We assure that the EVMs are safe," added Balaji.
In Chandauli, some people alleged that they had spotted unloading of EVMs near the strongroom. SP-BSP supporters sat on a dharna and accused the district administration of acting on the instructions of the ruling party.
Chandauli election officer Navneet Singh Chahal told them the EVMs were unused.