In a dramatic turn during West Bengal’s first-phase Assembly polls, Baharampur Congress contender Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury slammed poll officials for EVM malfunctions and dismal arrangements at polling stations amid extreme heat. At booth 141 in Murshidabad district, repeated machine glitches left voters queuing for hours under relentless sunlight.
Chowdhury, addressing the media at the site, revealed he had been alerted early in the day. ‘The EVM at booth 141 broke down multiple times. We complained, replaced it, but problems continue,’ he stated. Despite Election Commission assurances of technical support, no swift fixes materialized, prompting him to escalate the issue with a formal letter to the Chief Electoral Officer and discussions with the DM.
Voters faced double trouble: faulty technology and sweltering temperatures. ‘Women are particularly affected, standing resolutely despite the heat, fearing loss of benefits if they don’t vote,’ Chowdhury observed. He painted a vivid picture of long lines snaking outside booths, with frustration mounting as people abandoned efforts to beat the heat.
A woman in the queue shared her ordeal: ‘Two hours in this heat with no facilities. The EVM fails again and again – how can we vote like this?’ Her words captured the widespread discontent rippling through polling areas.
This incident spotlights broader challenges in conducting fair elections under harsh weather and technical hurdles. Chowdhury demanded immediate interventions to salvage voter confidence and ensure every voice is heard in these pivotal elections.
