Over 70 per cent turnout in repolling in Asom

Guwahati, Apr 12 (UNI) Over 70 per cent turnout was recorded in today's repolling in 15 booths in eight constituencies, polling for which was held on April 10 in the second and final phase of Asom polls.

An Election Commission (EC) source said the repolling was peaceful, adding that the figure was likely to go up as reports from some of the stations were yet to arrive.

The repolling was necessiated mainly due to wrong handling of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and disruption to poll process.

Repolling was held in one polling booth each in Sootea, Nalbari, Barpeta, Baghbor and Sarbhog constituencies, two in Tamulpur, three in Mankachar and five in Abhayapuri south.

Chief electoral officer J P Prakash had yesterday informed that repolling had been ordered in three places in Mankachar as election could not be held here due to agitation by a section of voters regarding the identification documents.

In Tamulpur, the damage of the control units of the EVMs by miscreants had led to repolling, he said, adding that though the EVMs were not damaged in the process, the EC had decided to play safe.

In the other booths going for repolling today, wrong handling or failure of the EVMs had made it necessary, Mr Prakash added.

UNI SG SP KLC1752