Madhya Pradesh assembly elections: EVM glitches and record turnout
A record turnout and controversial EVM glitches marked the voting day in Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. A chart-busting 75 per cent voters turned up. This was 3 per cent higher than 2013. They cast their votes in the most hotly contested in 15 years. As many as 2236 EVMs malfunctioned. This prompted the Congress to cry foul and demand re-polling at these places.
In Mizoram, keeping up with the tradition of high polling rates, 80 per cent of the electorate turned up to vote. The Election Commission said the poll percentage may go beyond 2013 figure of 80.82 per cent the time reports from remote areas arrive.
In Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district alone, more than 20 per cent VVPAT machines had to be changed, delaying polling. PCC Chief Kamal Nath and MP Jyotiraditya Scindia raised the alarm early in the day and demanded that the EC extend voting hours.
V L Kantha Rao, Chief Electoral Officer of the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, siad that around 3 per cent of VVPATs had to be changed. He added, “This is lower than the number of VVPATs changed during polling in Karnataka and Kairana elections. In Chhattisgarh, 2 per cent VVPAT machines were changed.”
Kamal Nath tweeted, “Reports are coming from across the state that EVMs are not working. This is affecting polling.” Scindia tweeted, “We have written to Election Commission that voting time in these booths should be extended.”
Scattered violence was reported in Bhind district. Shots rang out at four places despite EC putting candidates of five seats under “house arrest” till 4:30 pm to prevent violence. The administration claimed that they had only been called for a meeting. In Mehgaon assembly seat, a voter was shot in the head and critically injured.
The Madhya Pradesh assembly elections is one of the most intense voting events in the last 15 years. Results will be awaited with anticipation.
