election committee Chairpersons of all polling stations, especially in West Bengal, have been directed to check and ensure that all candidate buttons on electronic voting machines (EVMs) are clearly visible and not covered with tape, glue or any other material, including colours, inks, perfumes or chemicals that may compromise the secrecy of the vote.
If a candidate button is found to have the above abnormalities, it is likely to be an act of tampering with or interfering with an electronic voting machine (EVM), which is an election crime.
European Commission officials said on Tuesday that the commission would not hesitate to take criminal action or order a re-vote in such cases.
Upon discovery of tampering, the presiding officer will immediately notify the department official or election official.
