Jaipur, Sep 15 (IANS) The Rajasthan State Election Commission has ordered re-polling at select polling stations in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota and Suket following technical malfunctions in electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the concluded urban body polls in the state.
According to the Commission on Monday, re-polling will be held at Jaipur Municipal Corporation in Ward number 9, Booth number 111; Ward number 18, Booth number 235; Ward number 25, Booth number 343; Ward number 34, Booth numbers 477 and 484.
In Jodhpur Municipal Corporation, repolling will be held in Ward number 50, Booth number 338.
In Kota Municipal Corporation, it will be held in ward No. 87, booth no. 99; ward no. 44, booth number 448; ward number 11, booth number 576.
The Commission received complaints regarding technical malfunctions in EVMs at these polling stations.
After examining reports submitted by the respective District Election Officers and Returning Officers, the Commission determined that the number of votes affected by the technical malfunction exceeded the margin of votes between the closest rival candidates. In view of this, the Commission ordered a re-poll.
As per the Commission’s directives, re-polling will be conducted on September 16 from 7a.m. to 6 p.m.
Counting of votes polled during the re-poll will begin at 8 a.m. on September 17 at the designated location.
Information regarding the date, time and polling station for the re-poll will be communicated in writing to the contesting candidates and their election agents.
Voters will also be informed through extensive publicity.
Notices will be displayed at the concerned municipality, the polling station and other prominent locations within the Assembly constituency.
The Commission has clarified that only voters whose names appear on the electoral roll of the concerned polling station will be eligible to vote in the re-poll.
Fresh indelible ink will be applied during the re-poll after removing the ink mark placed on the voter’s left-hand middle finger during the original poll.
The new ink mark will be applied so that it remains visible from the base of the nail to the first joint of the finger.
If required, ballot papers and tendered ballot papers to be used with the EVMs will be prepared afresh.
The Commission has also directed that the EVMs used during the original poll be sealed and kept in safe custody following the re-poll.
The State Election Commission has instructed the concerned officials to ensure that all necessary arrangements for the re-poll are completed in a timely manner.
–IANS
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