LS Election 2019 Phase 1 Polls updates: Less than 1 percent of voting machines replaced, says EC
New Delhi, Apr 11: The first phase of voting was held across 91 Lok Sabha constituencies on Thursday. Election 2019 kicked off to a troubled start with two people being killed in clashes in Andhra Pradesh, IED blasts in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, reports of EVM glitches and multiple complaints from voters about their names not being on the electoral list.
As round one of the seven-phase Lok Sabha election began in 91 constituencies across the length and breadth of India, from the hills of Kashmir to the islands of Andaman and Nicobar, reports of unrest and irregularities cast shadows over the world's biggest poll process.
There were reports of violence from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh while the chiefs of several parties, including TDP's N Chandrababu Naidu, AAP's Arvind Kejriwal and PDP's Mehbooba Mufti, came forward to complain about administrative and other lapses.
More than 14 crore people were listed to vote in the first phase, held in 91 Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 18 states and two union territories. The votes for the election, being held over seven phases, will be counted on May 23.
The Election Commission said 0.73 % of the ballot units and 0.61 % of the control units of electronic voting machines had to be replaced. Also, the commission said 1.7 per cent of the VVPATs were replaced. This is the first Lok Sabha election where VVPATs have been attached to all voting machines.
Here are the Lok Sabha Election 2019 Phase 1 Voting Updates:
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh: Family members of BJP MLA Bheema Mandvi after casting their vote in Dantewada, earlier today. Bheema Mandvi had lost his life in a naxal attack in Dantewada on 9th April. #IndiaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/fvD7xsfBD1
— ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2019
Jammu and Kashmir
Voter turnout for Phase 1 of voting
Odisha
Surendra Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha: We have been successful in conducting the first phase of polls in a free, fair & peaceful manner. There has been no untoward incident whatsoever reported in the polls. The failure rate of EVMs has been under 1%. #IndiaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/xVcjNXaIyr
— ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2019
Odisha
Odisha: Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) & VVPATs being packed at a polling station in Kalahandi after voting concluded there. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/wNEfbbn3bn
— ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2019
Poll % till 5 PM
Poll % till 5 PM - #IndianElections2019
— ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2019
Bihar: 50.26%
Telangana: 60.57%
Meghalaya: 62%
Uttar Pradesh: 59.77%
Manipur: 78.20%
Lakshadweep: 65.9%
Assam: 68% pic.twitter.com/8iLhaE4tJz
Mizoram
Sikkim
Imagine the disappointment a 91 year old senior citizen feels when he goes all the way to vote & finds his name missing. This is the first time he hasn’t been able to exercise his right to vote. Why is there such conspicuous pin drop silence over such discrepancies? https://t.co/RWoMM3LHUk
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 11, 2019