LS to probe why voting machine failed

An electronic voting system,past its use-by date,failed as members of the Lok Sabha voted on the crucial Demands for Grants of ministries on Tuesday night. While the system worked well during the voting on cut motions moved by the Opposition,it failed when the Demands were carried through.

Had it worked,the electronic system would have taken 30 seconds flat to count votes. The alternative manual method,though fairly swift,consumed 40 minutes. It involved collection,compilation and counting of slips signed by members. I have ordered an inquiry, Lok Sabha Secretary-General P D T Achary said. He refused to comment any further saying hed rather wait for the report.

Sources said the system,supplied by a German firm,was installed in 1996. It was designed to last eight years. The CPWD,according to sources,floated tenders for a replacement two months ago,but the issue got bogged down in litigation after one of the bidders moved the Delhi High Court.