Archive · 15 Nov 2025
HP Election Commission Orders Inquiry into EVM Security Lapse in Bilaspur
Imagine voting machines are like special boxes that hold votes.
In a town called Bilaspur, the people guarding these special boxes weren't there one night.
This was discovered by a police officer.
Because the guards were gone, officials are worried someone might have tried to mess with the vote boxes.
So, the election supervisors are asking a special person to investigate what happened.
Eight guards have been temporarily removed from their jobs.
A former politician thinks this might have been planned.
The investigation will look into everything and then they will decide what to do next.
The Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission has ordered a judicial inquiry into an EVM security lapse in Bilaspur.
The lapse was discovered when police personnel guarding the EVMs were found absent from their post late Wednesday night.
Eight police personnel have been suspended as a result of the security breach.
The EVMs in question were used in previous Legislative Assembly elections for the Sri Naina Devi and Bilaspur (Sadar) constituencies.
A former MLA alleged a conspiracy, while officials confirmed a magisterial inquiry led by the ADC is underway.
- Who
- Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Bilaspur, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shiv Chaudhary, Superintendent of Police (SP) Bilaspur Sandeep Dhawal, former MLA Bamber Thakur, Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Bilaspur Rahul Kumar, and eight suspended police personnel.
- What
- An inquiry has been ordered into a lapse in the security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at strong rooms in a government college.
- When
- The lapse was discovered late on Wednesday night, and a report has been sought within three days. Officials confirmed the development on Saturday.
- Where
- Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, at the strong rooms located in a government college.
- Why
- Police personnel assigned to secure the EVMs were found absent from their post during a surprise inspection, raising concerns about potential tampering.
- Location
- Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh
- Date of Discovery
- Wednesday night
- Inquiry Ordered By
- Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission
- Personnel Suspended
- Eight police personnel
- EVMs Secured in
- Government College Strong Room
- Constituencies Involved
- Sri Naina Devi and Bilaspur (Sadar)