[Polling officials checking the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and other necessary inputs required for the Gujarat Assembly Election, at the distribution centre, at Athawa Gate line, in Surat, Gujarat on December 08, 2017.]
Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state Gujarat on Saturday recorded 68% voter turnout in the first phase of assembly elections, poll officials said.
Elections in the first phase were held across 89 constituencies in Kutch, Saurashtra and south Gujarat.
Cases of malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) were brought to the notice of Election Commission from many places. Videos of people complaining about EVM glitches were shared by some on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.
"Vote to Congress is going to the BJP", a voter is seen in a video informing someone on phone from outside a polling station in Surat.
A local Congress leader also alleged that at some places EVMs were connected to other devices through Bluetooth. He also shared a screenshot as proof to his claim.
After the complaints, poll officals replaced the EVMs. The Election Commission said faulty machines found in 7-8 booths were fixed or replaced by 11 am.
According to reports, over 1.90 per cent of faulty VVPATs have been replaced so far out of 24,689 units deployed. About 0.37 per cent out of the 26,865 ballot units and 0.38 per cent out of the 24,689 control unit have also been replaced.
"We have a number of EVMs in reserve. Concerned officials are keeping continuous check", Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar said.
Some reports suggest that the deadline of voting in various constituencies has been extended till 10 pm due to EMV malfunctioning.
Voting was held today in 89 of Gujarat's 182 constituencies spread over 19 districts in Kutch, Saurashtra and south Gujarat. The Election Commission said the tentative voting figure stood at 68 per cent.
The figure is lower than 2012, when 71.3 per cent polling took place, the Election Commission said.
As per the 2012 results, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holds 67 of the total 89 seats and the Congress 16. One seat each is held by the NCP and JD-U while independents hold the remaining two.
There are a total of 24,689 polling booths. Of the 2,12,31,652 voters, 1,11,05,933 are males and 1,01,25,472 females while 247 are from the third gender.
The Gujarat election is seen as a Prime Minister Narendra Modi vs Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi duel, with both leading their parties from the front in an aggressive, often bitter and personal campaign, to win the crucial state ahead of next year's national election.
Polling in the second phase of Gujarat elections will be held on Thursday December 14. Counting of votes will be held on December 18.
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