After slow start, 58 per cent polling in Pimpri-Chinchwad, voters struggle to locate their booth, some EVMs malfunction

As the polling began at 7.30 am, EVMs at a couple polling centres would’t start. Even at the closing time, one EVM developed problem. But PCMC election officers said their team moved quickly to replace the machines and get the process going.

The polling progressed slowly at 2,067 booths located across the length and breadth of the industrial city. In the first two hours, only 6.56 per per cent voting was registered. From 11.30 am to 1.30 pm, voting picked up and registered 28.15 per cent. After 1.30 pm, it further went up to 40 per cent.

Besides a clutch of complaints regarding the EVMs, the major complaints from the voters were regarding not able to find their polling booths. Those who searched and located their booths went to the polling booths only to find that their names missing from that booth. ”Not just the missing polling booth, but even some voters found that their name was in the neighbouring prabhag. It seemed the election officials did not get their online act together,” said Amol Deshpande, a resident of Pradhikaran.

Yet another complained related to elderly citiens finding it difficult to cast their votees in view of the fact that they had to press buttons on the EVM for four times, said Deshapnde.

Echoing the views, BJP candidate Rahul Kalate from Wakad prabhag said, ”Some citizens found their names online but when they landed at the polling centres, their names were missing. This disappointed some voters, others there were no major complaints.”

NCP leader Sarang Kamtekar said in Indrayani Nagar-Balajinagar area, as soon as the polling started, one EVM machine at a polling centre failed to operate. ”There was a delay of half an hour till the election officials found a replacement,” he said.

Also, Kamtekar said at a polling station in Indrayani Nagar, after 5.30 pm, some 10-15 voters were allowed inside. ”We lodged a complaint with the presiding officer,” he said.

NCP leader Ajit Gavhane said, ”In Bhosari area, voting process had some problem, especially the ink on voters’ finger disappearing. Similarly, voters struggled to find their booths. I think some irritated voters might have returned home.”

Shatrughan Kate, president of Pimpri-Chinchwad BJP unit, said, ”In Pimple Saudagar, voting went beyond stipulated deadline. There was problem only with one EVM which was replaced quickly by officials. Voters complained that there was difference between the booth number mentioned against their name in the pp and at the actual location. This led to lot of running around, especially for those relatives who had come with their elderly and ailing citizens. Several voters also complained that the polling booths were located far inside from the entrance. At some places, adequate wheel-chairs were not available.” Kate is contesting from Pimple Saudagar area.

Domnic Lobo, who voted in Sangvi area, said, ”Several citizens found it difficult to vote for four candidates. The aged and illiterate citizens had a hard time exercising their franchise in Sangvi area and I am sure it was similar everywhere. The voting process should be simple and uncomplicated. The voters should not be forced to vote for many candidates. Also, we found it dififcult to know whether the vote went to the actual candidate we voted for…The system was there in earlier elections.”

Iklas Sayeed, who voted in Akurdi, said, ”There were no major complaints except at one polling centre, two people were caught trying to vote twice. They were caught by the police after some party workers objected.”

The election officials conceded that there were some complaints but none of them were major ones. ”The entire voting process was smooth and peaceful. Except for some complaints regarding EVMs which were quickly replaced, there were no other major complaints..We hardly had bogus voting complaints,” Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar, under whom the election process is being completed.

Hardikar said, ”At 75 per cent of the centres, polling was completed on time while at 25 per cent centres, it went up till 8 pm.” He said only one complaint was received regarding ink fading. ”I had directed officials to make the ink marking a little thicker.

As for slowly process of voting, Hardikar said,”At some places, the elderly citizens and uneducated voters found it difficult to cast their votes for four candidates. They had to be explained the process which led to some delays.”