Gujarat polls: EVM issues have been resolved, says Bhavnagar DC

Bhavnagar District Collector Harshad Patel on 9 December said the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), which allegedly had issues related to tampering, have been looked into and replaced, adding the polling was going on peacefully.

Patel's remark comes hours after EVM malfunctioning in several polling stations made headlines in the very first hour of voting for the Gujarat elections.

Speaking to ANI, Patel said, "There is no issue. At few places where machines had problems - that has been resolved. Machines have been replaced wherever required."

"Polling is currently going on peacefully," he said.

Also speaking on the issue, Congress leader Ahmed Patel requested quick action.

Patel took to Twitter and said, "There are reports of EVM malfunctioning in several polling stations. Request the Election Commission (EC) to take necessary action immediately (sic)."

Earlier in the day, the poll panel received several complaints about EVM malfunctioning in Kosamba region of Valsad district. According to media reports, an EVM was also tampered with in Rajkot East constituency, a complaint to the EC said.

Meanwhile, talking to the reporters here, Patel slammed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"People from all social groups have gathered to vote because in three years, the BJP government has not done anything at the Centre, nor have they done anything in Gujarat in the last 22 years," he said.

"They did not fulfil any of the promises made in their manifestos of previous elections," Patel added.

The first phase of voting in 89 assembly constituencies of Gujarat began this morning.

The second phase will be held on 14 December for 93 assembly constituencies while counting of the votes will be done on 18 December. 

-ANI