In Odisha, the first round of the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections is presently in progress. Voters today will determine the destiny of a number of prominent members of the BJP, BJD, and Congress in four parliamentary seats, including Berhmapur, Koraput, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur. On the other hand, multiple sources reported instances of EVM malfunctions. In addition, a BJP agent was reportedly refused access to a booth in the wee hours of today, leading to reports of conflict.
Initial reports state that a BJP political agent was denied entry to the 146 seat at Nua Maisanpur of Chikiti in Berhampur today, which caused to a disturbance outside the booth. When the mock poll was being held at the booth, the incident happened. According to sources, because the incident happened early in the morning, there were not many issues with the voting process.
Once sufficient force had reached the booth, the situation was restored to normal. Social media users quickly shared the video of the incident in which people were holding wooden sticks.
According to the most recent report, the agent was then granted access to the booth, where the voting procedure is proceeding without a hitch.
EVM Flickers
Today’s polling in Booths No. 66 at Kumutiguda in Malkangiri, No. 101 at Nuapada, and Nos. 89 and 72 at Loharapali and Podapali in Khariar is delayed due to technical issues with the EVM. Voting in Booths Nos. 59 and 60 in Boriguma and 160 and 194 in Jeypore was also reported to have EVM difficulties.
CEO Discusses Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nikunja Bihari Dhal announced today that there are 7303 polling places in the state where voting is taking place and that during the trial polls, which were held between 5:30 and 7 am, malfunctions in the electronic voting machines were noticed. Later on, new machines have taken their place.
About 52 ballot units, 58 control units, and 43 VVPAT machines have been replaced, according to Dhal.
