Three faulty EVMs were replaced by helicopter in Sironcha, Gadchiroli

Gadchiroli, 19 April (HS). There was chaos at Sironcha polling station located on the border of Maharashtra and Telangana on Friday when three EVMs got damaged during voting. Voting was conducted by immediately bringing three new EVMs from Aheri by helicopter. On an average, 70 percent voting took place in Gadchiroli district till 5 pm.

During voting on Friday, EVMs broke down at three polling stations in Sironcha at 9 am on April 19. Eventually the seniors contacted Assistant Election Adjudication Officer Aditya Jeevane. After this, Superintendent of Police Neelotpal sent three EVMs kept in reserve to Aheri by helicopter. After the arrival of new EVMs, the election process was started afresh.

It is noteworthy that the police force had kept a helicopter ready in Aheri to deliver new EVMs to Naxal affected and sensitive areas in case of technical failure. Apart from this, two helicopters are available with Gadchiroli Police Force. However, due to security reasons during the election period, seven more helicopters have been kept ready to transport polling teams, EVMs and other material to remote and extremely inaccessible areas. Polling officials and EVMs were transported to sensitive areas by these nine helicopters. Due to security reasons, the administration is also using helicopters in sensitive areas. Besides, an 'air ambulance' has also been kept ready.