Guwahati: At least 189 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) malfunctioned today and were replaced during the second and concluding phase of Assembly elections across 61 constituencies in Assam.
Election Commission officials said the number was likely to go up as reports from some remote areas were still coming. The highest number of EVM malfunctioning has been witnessed in Hojai election district.
“We have changed 33 machines at different places in three constituencies – Lumding, Jamunamukh and Hojai. Some machines developed very minor errors, but we did not take any chance and replaced them,” Hojai Returning Officer Kaberi Barkakoty Sarma said.
The units developed problems like no beep sound, low battery, slow functioning and display error, she said. Barpeta Returning Officer Ashwani Kumar said 19 machines were not working properly during the polling exercise in nine constituencies and were replaced.
Most of the problems were related to lights not blinking after pressing a particular button against the name of a candidate, beep sound and clock error, he said. Mangaldoi Returning Officer said 15 machines were replaced at four constituencies of the district. Kamrup Returning Officer Vinod Seshan said 14 EVMs were changed in Palashbari, Hajo, Boko and Chaygaon due to malfunctioning in display, battery and date settings. Bilasipara Returning Officer said 12 machines were replaced in the election district during the day.
Returning Officers said 11 units were replaced in each district. In Nalbari and Morigaon, ten EVMs each were replaced, said the respective Returning Officers. (PTI)
