Faulty EVMs mar Palghar bypoll

Technical flaws which led to malfunctioning of VVPAT and EVM machines marred the Palghar and Bhandara-Gondia bypolls on Monday. The opposition demanded a re-poll at all centres where EVM and VVPAT machines had stalled citing that the malfunction affected the voting process.

In Palghar, Shiv Sena, BJP, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), Congress and CPI-M, are locked in a multi-cornered fight. The Sena has fielded late BJP MP Chintaman Vanaga's son Srinivas against former minister Rajendra Gavit (BJP), former MP Baliram Jadhav (BVA), Damu Shingada (Congress) and Kiran Raja Gahala (CPI-M).

Dr Prashant Narnavare, the district collector of Palghar, told DNA that the issue with VVPAT machines was reported by 12 noon. "These machines are fragile and they malfunctioned due to direct exposure to sunlight and heat. We anticipated these problems similar issues were reported in Gujarat. As a result, 96 engineers were deputed from the Election Commission," he said. Machines which had malfunctioned were replaced.

Narnavare said that 154 VVPAT machines and three EVMs had to be replaced at 2,097 polling centres and this rejection rate was 15 per cent less than what was anticipated. He added that by 5 pm, the turnout of voters was around 40.35 per cent, which was expected to rise to 45 to 46 per cent by the time it concluded.

In the Bhandara-Gondia constituency, where there is a lot at stake for Patole, NCP heavyweight and former union minister Praful Patel and the BJP, district officials said VVPAT and EVMs had malfunctioned at 440 and 40 centres respectively. The constituency has 2,149 polling centres. "However, voting did not stop; the machines were replaced and it resumed," said Vilas Thakre, deputy collector, Gondia. By 5 pm, around 35 per cent turnout was reported.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president and former chief minister Ashok Chavan said around 25 per cent EVM and VVPAT machines had stalled at Bhandara-Gondia, which is "suspicious." He added that as a result, people were unable to vote despite standing in queues for hours and demanded a re-poll at all centres where malfunction was reported.

BVA chief and Vasai MLA Hitendra Thakur accused the BJP of manipulating the EVMs and offering inducements to voters. Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai said that elections should be held the traditional way using ballot papers.

STALLED

• The issue with VVPAT machines was reported by 12 noon 
   
• Around 25 per cent EVM and VVPAT machines had stalled at Bhandara-Gondia 
   
• The VVPAT and EVM machines  malfunctioned due to direct exposure to sunlight and heat