An entire set of EVMs was replaced after complaints surfaced of the set of EVMs showing differing numbers of votes cast during mock polling. The issue was brought to notice by AAP spokesperson in Goa, Elvis Gomes, who called the EVM malfunction a robbery.
Gomez said that the mock poll had 9 votes for each of the 6 candidates in booth number 31 of the 34th Assembly seat in the state – the BJP got 17, Congress got nine, AAP got eight and independent candidates got one.
Taking note of the situation, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Goa said that it is examining the matter and an update will be issued soon.
Later, the CEO of Goa said that the issue has been resolved, as an entire set of EVMs was replaced for the Assembly constituency's 31st polling station, citing inputs from DEO of south Goa.
The EVM failure, however, did not go unnoticed. SP chief and former UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, citing a media report, said that EVMs across India are malfunctioning or voting for the BJP.
“DMs say poll officials untrained to operate EVMs. 350+ being replaced. This is criminal negligence for a polling exercise that costs 50,000 crs. Should we believe DM, the ECI or is something far more sinister afoot?”Akhilesh Yadav, President, Samajwadi Party
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)