Tech problems lead to delay in polling commencement

Rajamahendravaram: In Rajamahendravaram Parliamentary constituency, polling had commenced at a slow pace at 7 AM at all polling stations, after the completion of mock polling from 5.30 AM to 6.30 AM. Many voters returned without casting their vote in the morning due to problems in EVMs and due to late commencement of polling.

However, long queues were found from 2 PM at the polling stations as women voters have come in large numbers. In addition, youth, especially new voters have come to the polling stations to cast their votes. They are enthusiastic to cast their vote though certain problems developed in the functioning of EVMs.

In this election, the voters expected more money from the contestants, but they were disappointed as candidates had given them small amounts. At many places, including in the city, voters demanded the candidates to pay amounts to cast their votes. With this, some candidates distributed money to the voters on Thursday, the polling day.

Some voters came to the polling stations in the evening after getting money. In the city, several voters went to the houses of contestants of parties and argued with them why they have not paid money to them.

The contesting candidates, after casting their votes, visited the polling stations to check the polling process. According to constituency returning officer Nishant Kumar, 63 CPUs and 81 VVPATS were replaced immediately due to technical problems in all seven segments of Parliamentary constituency and the error percentage is only 0.05.

Final poll percentage will be arrived at 7.30 PM, he said. The poll process in the segments of Rajamahendravaram Rural, Urban, Anaparthi, Rajanagaram, Kovvur, Nidadavolu and Gopalapuram were observed from the control room.