Chennai: Election Flying Squad personnel seized 100 dummy Electronic Voting Machines and 20,600 visiting cards bearing the photograph of DMK candidate Vaidiyalingam during a vehicle check near the Arumbakkam Metro Station in the Anna Nagar constituency early on Friday. The materials were found in a load autorickshaw and were taken into custody for verification.
Fake EVM machine seizure in Chennai
Yesterday, around 11:00 PM, near the Arumbakkam Metro Rail Station on 100 Feet Road in Chennai, members of the Election Flying Squad—operating within the Anna Nagar constituency—were engaged in intensive vehicle checks. During this operation, they intercepted and inspected an auto-rickshaw passing through the area. Inside the auto, they discovered 100 boxes containing five parcels each. Upon opening the boxes, they found 100 dummy Electronic Voting Machines manufactured using thermocol and plastic, fabricated to closely resemble actual voting machines. The dummy machines had indicator lights that glowed when buttons were pressed, making them appear similar to original EVMs.
Additionally, officials seized identity cards bearing the photograph and campaign stickers of Vaithilingam, the DMK candidate for the Orathanadu Assembly constituency, along with 20,600 visiting cards and sticker bindis featuring the candidate’s image.
Investigation details
The auto-rickshaw driver, Ganesan, and the individual transporting the goods—Selvam, a native of Salem—were detained and interrogated. During the interrogation, it was revealed that the items belonged to Sivaraman, the owner of SRK Manpower Company based in Coimbatore. The investigation further established that Sivaraman had instructed his employee, Selvam, to transport the parcels. Moreover, it was discovered that there were plans to ship the parcels from Vadapalani to Pudukkottai via Koyambedu using a parcel service.
The Election Flying Squad handed over the seized items to the Anna Nagar Election Office. Officials have instructed the driver and the person in charge to appear for further inquiry. The seizure was made by a Static Surveillance Team comprising officials from the Greater Chennai Corporation and the city police.
The discovery of such dummy electronic voting machines, occurring just as the Assembly elections are drawing near, has created a stir within both the political party involved and the local region.