Lok Sabha Election 2024: Polling Disrupted Due To EVM Glitches In Kerala and Uttar Pradesh

The second phase of the Lok Sabha elections for 2024 is taking place today in Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Jammu & Kashmir.

However, the polling process encountered challenges due to technical issues and malfunctions in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Specifically, disruptions were reported at the Vennala booth in Ernakulam, Kerala, and at the Golmandir booth in Meerut, as well as the Pialkhua booth in Hapur, both located in Uttar Pradesh.

A total of 194 candidates are contesting across 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala. The polling began at 7 AM and by 9:15 AM, the voter turnout stood at 12 per cent. The initial hours saw active participation, possibly because voters wanted to avoid the hot weather conditions. There is also concern among political parties regarding whether the heat will affect voter turnout.

The first phase of the 18th Lok Sabha election saw a decrease of approximately four percentage points compared to the 17th Lok Sabha elections. Many attribute this decline in turnout to the harsh sunlight, which discouraged people from participating in the voting process.

However, voting faced interruptions at a booth located in Vennala, Ernakulam, due to glitches in the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). The disruption occurred at booth number 64 of the Ernakulam Lok Sabha constituency. A significant queue had formed outside the booth at Govt HSS Tripunithura when a polling official announced that the voting machine encountered a technical issue. As of now, voting has not resumed at the affected booth.

In Uttar Pradesh, a voter turnout of over 11 per cent was recorded by 9 AM. The voting process is currently ongoing for eight Lok Sabha constituencies in the state.

However, disruptions were reported at two polling booths. In Meerut, at the Golmandir booth in sector 4, and in Hapur at booth number 144 in Pialkhua, Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) malfunctions occurred, causing a pause in the voting process. Authorities acted promptly to address these issues.