JAIPUR, September 15: Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) malfunctions have left results pending in three wards of the Kota Municipal Corporation, prompting the Rajasthan State Election Commission to order fresh polling on September 16. The affected votes could not be retrieved during counting, while the BJP has already crossed the majority mark in the 100-member civic body.
Re-Poll Ordered in Three Kota Wards
In Kota Municipal Corporation, fresh voting has been ordered at polling stations in Ward 87, Ward 44 and Ward 11.
The affected booths are:
- Ward 87 – Booth 99
- Ward 44 – Booth 448
- Ward 11 – Booth 576
The State Election Commission decided on a re-poll after examining reports from election officials and finding that the number of votes affected by the malfunction was greater than the margin between the leading candidates.
Voting on September 16, Counting Next Day
Re-polling at the affected booths will be held from 7 AM to 6 PM on September 16.
Votes cast during the re-poll will be counted from 8 AM on September 17, after which the pending ward results can be finalised.
The election of chairperson and deputy chairperson in affected local bodies, including Kota, has also been postponed until the incomplete results are resolved.
BJP Crosses Majority Mark in Kota
Despite the pending wards, the BJP has already secured a clear majority in Kota Municipal Corporation.
Latest declared results show the BJP winning 55 wards, while Congress has won 40 and Independents have secured three. Results in the remaining affected wards are pending because of the EVM problem.
The outcome gives the BJP control of the corporation numerically, although the remaining contests and subsequent election of civic office-bearers are yet to be completed.
Congress Candidate Protests in Ward 87
The EVM malfunction in Ward 87 also triggered a political protest.
Congress candidate Laxmi Sharma, along with other party leaders, staged a protest outside the counting centre and demanded transparency over the handling of the faulty machine. Kota Congress leaders also sought to ensure that the machine was properly sealed in the presence of officials.
The allegations remain political claims; the Election Commission’s stated reason for ordering the fresh poll is the technical malfunction and its potential effect on the result.
Problem Extends Beyond Kota
The EVM issue is not limited to Kota. The State Election Commission has ordered re-polling at 10 polling stations across Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota and Suket municipality.
Five affected booths are in Jaipur, one in Jodhpur, three in Kota and one in Suket.
State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh said the malfunctioning machines were around 13 years old and in worn condition. He said Rajasthan had earlier proposed purchasing new EVMs but had instead relied on older machines sourced from different election authorities.
Final Results Await September 17 Count
While the larger Rajasthan civic election picture has become clearer, the final outcome in the affected wards will now depend on Wednesday’s re-poll and Thursday’s counting.
The episode has also renewed discussion over the condition of older EVMs used in local elections and the need to replace ageing equipment before future polls.
source – Rajasthan State Election Commission / The Indian Express / Times of India / PTI
Supreme News Network
