As the first phase of voting began on Thursday, allegations of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) malfunctions surfaced from multiple locations, disrupting the polling process and sparking voter anger.
At Mothabari in Malda, voting reportedly could not begin even after more than an hour and a half due to technical glitches in EVMs. The delay led to rising tension, with agitated voters staging protests and surrounding the sector officer, demanding immediate action.
CEO responds, promises swift fixes
State Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal acknowledged receiving multiple complaints regarding faulty EVMs.
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“Yes, reports have come. Everything will be fixed,” he said while arriving at the CEO's office shortly before 9 AM. Addressing the specific issue at Mothabari, he added, “The commission’s representative is taking strict action.”
CCTV malfunctions add to concerns
Apart from EVM glitches, allegations of malfunctioning CCTV cameras at several polling booths have also emerged. These failures have raised concerns over monitoring and transparency during the voting process.
Responding to these complaints, Agarwal assured that the technical issues related to surveillance systems would also be resolved promptly.
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Violence allegations surface in Murshidabad
Adding to the tense atmosphere, reports of a bombing incident emerged from Nawda in Murshidabad.
Confirming the development, Agarwal stated, “Yes, I have received reports. It happened at some distance. Strict action will be taken.”
With both technical disruptions and law-and-order concerns surfacing early in the day, tension continues in several polling areas. However, election authorities maintain that corrective measures are being implemented swiftly to ensure smooth voting as the day progresses.
