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Kundgol and Chincholi assembly bypolls: Despite EVM snags, voters make it count in bypolls

HUBBALLI/KALABURAGI: Voters showed up in huge numbers for the byelections to Kundgol and Chincholi assembly segments on Sunday, enduring heat and a long wait because of EVM and VVPAT machine glitches , which briefly halted polling.


By the end of polling hours at 6pm, Kundgol, Kalaburagi district , had recorded a turnout of 81.3% and Chincholi, Dharwad district, 70.3%, higher than the 2018 figures of 78.7%


and 68.7%, respectively, according to officials of the Election Commission . Votes will be counted on May 23. The results of the Lok Sabha elections will also be declared the same day.

Polling in Kundgol and Chincholi was sluggish in the morning; less than 10% of the electors had recorded their choice on the EVM by 9am. But it picked up as the day progressed. In Chincholi, voters braved scorching heat as the temperature touched 44 degrees Celsius.

Complaints about EVM and VVPAT malfunction were reported in both assembly segments. In Chincholi alone, officers replaced around 70 VVPAT machines and three voting panels. The faulty EVMs delayed voting for up to an hour in several villages. In Kundgol, technical problems were reported in six villages. Polling was delayed by 15 to 20 minutes.

Returning officers said high temperatures led to EVM troubles. “EVMs are designed, and equipped, with sensitive light and they develop snags if there’s extreme heat. As the mercury level crossed 43 degrees Celsius on Sunday, several EVMs were affected,” Chincholi returning officer Somashekar S said.

He added that the commission had anticipated such a situation and arranged for additional voting and VVPAT machines.

Jadhavs accuse Congress of distributing money

There was tension in Khanapur village, Chincholi, as BJP and Congress workers sparred over allegations that a Congress leader had distributed money. The BJP’s candidate in the segment, Avinash Jadhav, and his father, Umesh Jadhav, claimed that Namdev Rathod, a Chitapur taluk panchayat member, distributed cash in Khanapur village. Rathod is an associate of minister Priyank Kharge.

Congress workers, however, claimed that BJP workers chased Rathod away by damaging his vehicle. Umesh Jadhav aleged that he was assaulted and held at gunpoint by Congress supporters at Hemlanaik Tanda when he tried to stop distribution of money. He sat on a dharna in front of a police jeep in Khanapur for some time.

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