Widespread EVM Glitches Reported Across Kerala, Polling Delayed in Many Booths

Thiruvananthapuram: As voting progresses for the local selfgovernment elections in Kerala, several districts have reported malfunctions in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Polling was delayed in many booths across Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram due to technical issues with the machines.

In Thiruvananthapuram, EVMs malfunctioned at the Ponmudi UPS booth No. 1 and at the Paravoorkonam School in Attingal. Similar technical problems were reported in booths at Kattakkada, Thiruvila, Vembannur ward in Aruvikkara, and Pullippara booth No. 1 in Pallikkal, causing delays.

In Kottayam, glitches were reported at booths in Wards 12 and 17 of Velloor Panchayat, as well as in the third ward booth of Aymanam.

In Pathanamthitta, EVM failures occurred at the Niranam Erathode booth in Thiruvalla and in the 14th ward of Malayalappuzha Panchayat.

A mix-up of voting machines created confusion in Kollam’s Pathanapuram Block Division, where the machine intended for Taluvoor Division was mistakenly sent to the Pattazhi Pandithitta Government LPS booth, instead of the one meant for the Nedutheri Block Division. Additionally, the machine at booth No. 1 of the Bharanikavu Division in Kollam Corporation malfunctioned.

In Idukki, EVM issues were reported at booth No. 1 in Ward 13 of Vandiperiyar Panchayat, in Thangamalay, and at the Thookkupalam SNDP Hall in the 14th ward of Nedumkandam Panchayat.