The mahagathbandhan candidate,Afzal Ansari sat on a protest outside the strongroom where EVMs are kept to prevent its transportation out in a vehicle in Ghazipur, on Monday.
In a video of the incident, Ansari and his supporters were clearly seen confronting the cops and indulging in a heated argument after that.
Ansari, who is also the brother of mafia turned politician Mukhtar Ansari, said that according to reports, similar incidents have been reported from other constituencies in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
"EVMs are being shifted out and probably replaced. None of the candidates were informed of the movement of EVMs. I am not going anywhere now because this is a clear attempt to resort to malpractices before counting," he said.
He said that he and his supporters would take turns to keep vigil outside the strongroom as he had no faith in the district administration. People will monitor machines themselves, he added.
Post Ansari`s claim, questions have been raised on the transporation of EVMs in various cities of UP and Bihar which has added spice to the controversy of EVM security in our country.
Dr Virendra and Triveni Ram who are legislators from Jangipur and Jakhania have also supported Ansari and severely criticed the EVM tampering.
Congress candidate from Mirzapur, Lalitesh Pati Tripathi has sent a letter to the poll observer inquiring about the presence of 'additional EVMs' in the strongroom.
Tripathi, who is pitted against Union Minister Anupriya Patel of Apna Dal in Mirzapur has also asked the observer to ensure the removal of 'additional EVMs in presence of all the candidates before the final result day ie 23rd May.
It may be recalled that two weeks ago, a similar movement of EVMs was reported from Amethi and the district administration claimed that 'unused' EVMs were being sent to places where polling had not yet taken place.