CHANDIGARH: The Election Commission on Tuesday ordered repolling in 48 polling stations falling in Majitha, Muktsar and Sangrur assembly segments in Punjab following malfunctioning in the Voter-Verified Audit Paper Trail (VVPAT) Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) on February 4.The repolling is scheduled to take place on February 9.
According to an ECI official, repolling has been ordered at 32 polling stations of Majitha (12), Muktsar (9), Sangrur (6), Moga (1) and Sardulgarh (4) and 16 polling stations of Amritsar Parliamentary constituency.
“In order to facilitate the voters with the opportunity to exercise their franchise, the ECI has made provision for paid leaves that the voters can avail,” said VK Singh, chief electoral officer, Punjab.
EC had used VVPAT for the first time in Punjab at 6,668 polling stations in 33 assembly segments and two segments in Amritsar Lok Sabha seats. During the trial 538 VVPATs were replaced while during polling 187 VVPATs were replaced. Polling was affected at 25 polling stations in Majitha and ten each in Sangrur and Muktsar.
Out of 24697 Ballot Units and 24256 Control units used in Punjab 180 BUs and 184 CUs failed during the poll. In the case of VVPATs which were first time used in 33ACs, out of total of 6293 VVPAT, 255 failed during actual poll.
Punjab revenue minister and SAD candidate from Majitha, Bikram Singh Majithia said he did not understand the reason why ECI had ordered re-poll in most of the booths which recorded up to 90 per cent polling. “I do not understand the logic behind the re-polling. On poll day, when we sought extension of time for voting due to a snag in the VVPAT machines, we were denied that. Now after three days, re-polling has been ordered,” he said.
AAP candidate from Majitha, Himmat Singh Shergill declined to comment on ECI orders, but said he would start a door-to-door campaign in the area before the polls.