Assam polls: 189 EVMs replaced during final phase of voting

Guwahati: At least 189 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) malfunctioned on Monday 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.[caption id=“attachment_2723810” align=“alignleft” width=“300”]  EVM issues. Reuters[/caption] 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 told PTI. 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 Manoj Kumar 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 Jeevan B said 12 machines were replaced in the election district during the day. Returning Officers in Goalpara, Rangiya and Nagaon said 11 units were replaced in each district. In Nalbari and Morigaon, ten EVMs each were replaced, said the respective Returning Officers. Returning Officers from North Salmara and Baksa said seven machines each were replaced in these places. Similarly, six units were replaced in Gossaigaon, while four machines each were changed in Dhubri and Kamrup Metropolitan election districts. Election Officials said South Salmara, Chirang and Bongaigaon witnessed replacement of three units each, while two machines each were changed in Kokrajhar and Bajali. In Bijni and Kaliabor election districts, one EVM each was replaced by officials concerned.