Congress has lodged a complaint with Election Commission of India (ECI) and sought re-polling in Bhanupratappur assembly segment for alleged malfunctioning of several Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) on Monday during the first phase of polling.
Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress committee spokesperson Sushil Anand Shukla informed that the Congress has urged Election Commission for re-polling in Bhanupratappur assembly constituency because as many as 40 EVMs were non-functional and even Congress agents were asked to leave these polling booths.
He informed that in Charama block of the constituency, Congress polling agents were asked to leave polling booths.
“The malfunctioning of EVMs in such a large number is a very serious issue and indicates a possible foul play,’’ Shukla said. He added that technical glitch in dozens of EVMs had exposed the ECI’s preparedness and its tall claims of Rs free and fair’ polling.
Congress had further demanded stern actions against the officials who were responsible for ensuring free and fair polling in Bhanupratappur.
Chhattisgarh has a total of 90 assembly seats and in the first phase, polling was held for 18 seats — 12 in Bastar and six in Rajnandgaon district. The second and final phase of polling is scheduled on November 20. The results will be declared on December 11.
