- By Nidhi Giri
- Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:36 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified that applying perfume, glue, or any other substance to EVM buttons constitutes tampering and an electoral offense. Recently, claims surfaced that some political workers do this to determine whether votes have been cast in their favour.
On Tuesday, officials said that if any such activity is noticed at any polling station, the presiding officer there will have to immediately inform the sector officer or the returning officer about it. These instructions were issued ahead of the polling in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal on April 23. An Election Commission official said the commission would take strict action in such cases and could even order a re-poll if necessary.
Officials have instructed presiding officers at all polling stations to ensure that all candidate buttons on the EVM are clearly visible and free of tape, glue, or any other substance. He also clarified that no color, ink, perfume, or chemical can be applied to the buttons of the ballot unit, as this could compromise the secrecy of the vote. If any such irregularities are found, the presiding officer will immediately inform higher officials.
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Any Tempering To Be Considered As Serious Electoral Offence
According to the Election Commission, all such cases would constitute EVM tampering or interference, which is a serious electoral offence. The Election Commission will also take action in such cases.
Campaigning For Phase 1 Ends In Bengal, Voting Tomorrow
Campaigning for the first phase of the Bengal Assembly elections ended on Tuesday evening. Voting will take place on April 23 for 152 seats in 16 districts across the state. A total of 1,478 candidates are contesting in the first phase. The total number of voters is 36,077,171, including 18,499,496 male voters, 17,577,210 female voters, and 465 transgender voters.
On the final day, all political parties exerted their full strength. Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed four public meetings, two in North Bengal and two in South Bengal. BJP MP Hema Malini held a road show in Alipurduar, North Bengal, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta held a road show in Asansol. Former Union Minister and BJP MP Anurag Thakur participated in a youth conference and torch rally in Chunchura, Hooghly district.
The campaign for the April 23 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu came to a close on Tuesday. On the final day of campaigning, all parties made a strong push. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, besides Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, AIADMK General Secretary Palaniswami and the Chief Minister's son Udhayanidhi, held road shows across the state and campaigned for their respective candidates.