Gegong Apang raises eyebrows on EVM voting system

A Correspondent

ITANAGAR: Against the backdrop of repolling announced in 19 polling stations of Arunachal Pradesh by the Election Commission, former Chief Minister and national general secretary of Janata Dal (Secular) Gegong Apang on Thursday sought a free and fair conduct of repolling.

The Election Commission on Wednesday announced repolling in 19 polling stations spread over 8 districts after the election process in these booths were suspended on April 11 following reports of the electronic voting machine (EVM) malfunctions and damage.

Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here, Apang claimed that despite tall claims made by the government, there is no improvement in the EVM voting system as malfunction of EVMs was detected in many places owing to which poll process was either delayed or suspended.

“We are not satisfied with the EVM voting system as there is high apprehension of malfunctions in repolling too,” said Apang, adding he himself prefer the slip system over EVM for free and fair voting.

Expressing serious concerned over reported of violence, intimation to election officials, etc., in many places, the former CM alleged that there was lack of preparedness on the part of government to conduct the election.

“Proper security arrangement was not made. Adequate security personnel were not deployed which led to violence and damage of EVMs in many places,” lamented Apang.

He also sought for repolling in Singging village under 34 (ST) Tuting-Yingkiong constituency, claiming that unfair election was held there as the polling agents of other parties were threatened, harmed and not allowed to enter the station during the election.

JD (S) MP candidate from West Parliamentary, Jarjum Ete also expressed serious concern over EVM malfunctions. Claiming that polling couldn’t be started on time in many places due to malfunctions of EVM and VVPAT, Ete said that the election preparedness was not upto the mark. JDS MLA candidate from 25 Raga Constituency, Takum Kabak also raised serious concern over the violence and EVM failure in the election. He also accused BJP workers of hampering the election process by blocking roads and damaging EVM machines.

Also read: Arunachal news