EVMs Damaged as Bus Catches Fire in Betul, MP; All Safe

In a startling incident in Madhya Pradesh's Betul district, a bus transporting polling officials and electronic voting machines (EVMs) caught fire late Tuesday night. The fire, which erupted near Gola village around 11 pm, was attributed to a spark in the bus. Despite the severity of the blaze, which completely destroyed the vehicle, Betul Collector Narendra Suryavanshi confirmed that all polling staff and the driver emerged unscathed.

The unfortunate event led to damage to EVMs from six polling stations, specifically booth numbers 275 through 280. Out of these, four EVMs sustained damage, affecting either a control unit or a ballot unit within each machine. The fire services promptly responded, extinguishing the flames that had engulfed the bus. At the time of the incident, six polling parties were aboard, along with an equal number of EVMs. Fortunately, two of these machines were saved from harm.

Regarding the potential impact of this incident on the vote count recorded by the damaged EVMs, Suryavanshi stated his intention to report the matter to the Election Commission. The decision on whether re-polling will be necessary for the affected booths rests with the commission. This incident comes in the wake of a significant turnout for the Betul Lok Sabha seat, where a total polling percentage of 72.65 was recorded, according to a poll official.

The swift action by emergency services prevented any injuries among those present on the bus, highlighting the importance of prompt and efficient response in such situations. The focus now shifts to the Election Commission as it deliberates on the need for re-polling in light of the damaged EVMs. This occurrence underscores the challenges faced during the electoral process and the resilience of those involved in ensuring its integrity.