Local body polls: Voting disrupted in scores of booths as EVMs malfunction

Electronic voting machines (EVMs) malfunctioned across several polling booths in the seven districts that went to the first phase of local body elections in Kerala on Tuesday, disrupting voting at multiple locations.

Alappuzha
Polling was halted at Booth 1 of Mannanchery Government High School after the button for Shylaja S Poonjili, the BSP candidate in the Aryad division of the Alappuzha district panchayat, was found non-functional. A repoll will be held in the division on Thursday. EVM issues were also reported from more than 10 other booths in the district.

Pathanamthitta, Kottayam
More than 20 booths in Pathanamthitta and 34 booths in Kottayam reported disruptions after EVMs developed faults.

Ernakulam
At Carmel College, Keezhmadu in Aluva, an EVM remained out of order for nearly five hours. A replacement machine was brought in, but it too failed after just five votes were cast.

Another booth at the Mariyapuram Church hall in Choornikkara panchayat saw polling stalled for three hours due to a faulty machine.

Idukki
In Idukki, voting began with a delay of around 30 minutes in 19 booths after machines were found defective.

Thiruvananthapuram
Voting was disrupted in the morning at Booth 1 in Muthiyavila ward under the Poovachal division of the Thiruvananthapuram district panchayat after a complaint that the light against the BJP candidate glowed when votes were cast for the LDF candidate. The machine was later replaced, and candidates and polling agents lodged a complaint with the returning officer regarding the votes already cast.

In another incident, polling at the Milk Cooperative Society Office in Melkadakkavoor for Guru Vihar, Ward 1 of Chirayinkeezhu grama panchayat, was suspended for nearly 90 minutes after insulation tape was found pasted over the Congress ‘Hand’ symbol.