Problems noticed in VVPATs, not in EVMs , says OP Rawat

The Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat on Tuesday said there were absolutely no problems in EVMs used in by-elections but problems were noticed in the VVPATs which was used for the first time in these constituencies and by the polling parties.

Reports being aired in some news channels of polling being cancelled in 35 booths in Bhandara-Gondiya Parliamentary Constituency in Maharashtra, is not based on facts. Also, the reports emerging in some quarters about EMs/VVPATs failing in 25 per cent polling booths in the same PC are also incorrect. It is clarified that voting has not been cancelled in Bhandara-Gondiya PC and voting continued smoothly after necessary replacements and

A large number of complaints were received about malfunctioning of both Electronic Voting Machines as well as VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Trail) from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha constituencies of Palghar and Bhandara-Gondia and Kairana, respectively. In many booths polling had to be suspended and local EC officials blamed the malfunction on the 'heat factor' and ended up inviting ridicule.