BHOPAL: Reports of fault in EVM in large numbers poured in from all across the state. Maximum complaints of EVM faults were received from Satna district where even the reserve stock was exhausted and machines were called in from neighbouring Rewa district. CEO VL Kantha Rao said that maximum complaints were received from Satna district where 20% of the machines had to be replaced.
Rao confirmed that even the reserve quota of machines was exhausted after complaints from all around the district and more machines had to be called from neighbouring Rewa district. CEO VL Kantha Rao said that overall 1145 EVMs and 1545 VVPAT were replaced during the entire electoral process in state. Giving specific details Rao said that 883 ballot units, 881 control units and 2216 VVPAT were replaced after fault complaints.
Even CEO Rao had to taste the glitches coming in the machines. He had to wait for about half an hour before he could cast his vote at VVIP polling booth in Char Imli area of Bhopal. Reports of EVM malfunction started pouring in along with mock poll at booths. Rao said that about 2% of the machines showed faults during the mock poll and were changed. 325 ballot units, 369 control units and 732 VVPAT were changed during mock polls.
Several Congress leaders including state Congress president Kamal Nath has demanded re-poll on next day at places where machines had developed snag. CEO Rao has dismissed all pleas for re-polls. EVMs developed glitches in Burhanpur, Mandla, Bhopal, Harda, Satna, Rewa, Burhanpur, Indore, Gwalior and dozens of other places. Voting remained at halt from about half an hour to two hours or more at several places.
In Bhind some voters created ruckus after waiting in queue for long time. However, Rao clarified that overall about 3% of the machines developed glitches and were replaced. This is far less in number compared to Karnataka and Gujarat where replacement rate was between 7-8%. CEO VL Kantha Rao had informed that 78,870 ballot units (BU) and 65,367 control units (CU) would be used during polls besides 65,367 VVPAT machines. Moreover, 15,548 BU, 12,248 CU and 13812 VVPATS are kept in reserve.
