Amidst unconfirmed reports of over 1800 EVMs are malfunctioning, the agitated Jana Sena candidate from Gooty I Ananthapur has reportedly destroyed EVM in a booth, leading to his arrest.
Peeved with one EVM not working, the Jana Sena candidate for Guntakal Assembly constituency K Madhusudan Gupta broke EVM by throwing it on the floor at Gooty Arts college polling booth in Ananthapur, according to TV reports.
He was soon taken into custody by the police and thus avoided possible violence that would have broke out.
Media reports claim that several defunct EVMs installed in many booths across the state are malfunctioning, although the people came out in big numbers forming serpentine queues to cast their votes, from 7 am itself.
Though, the returning officers, who felt there may be technical glitches and complained to higher Election Commission officials, the response said to be lukewarm.
The YSRCP workers also reportedly complained over non-functioning of EVMs at several places.
According to reports, defunct EVMs are causing a delay in commencement of polling at several places in Krishna, Srikakulam, Chittoor, parts of Prakasam, Kurnool. East and West Godavari districts. Irritated voters entered into arguments with polling staff and police at a few places.
State Chief Minister and TDP President Nara Chandrababu Naidu expressed his displeasure over the delay in polling due to EVMs and reiterated his objection to their use. He suggested to replace them with ballot boxes. Naidu reminded that even inn developed countries, ballot boxes are being use for more transparency.
Fearing of soaring temperatures, scores of people, especially the elderly queued up at several poling stations across the state from 6 am itself. This was in the wake of IMD reports that temperature levels likely to touch new high, more than 40 degrees Celsium as day progress by 2+ degrees.
Interestingly, this time around, women voters who outwit men set to tilt the scales in these elections. Over 25 lakh first time voters too wil be exercising their franchise in Andhra Pradesh alone.
People indeed were disappointed with the poll arrangements at several places in Vijayawada.
At some places in Vijayawada, people complained over poor arrangements made for polling. At the polytechnic college, they were seen complaining about lack of proper sun shades and drinking water facilities to Chief Secretary LV Subramanyam, who came there to cast his vote.
Media reports also claim that tension prevailed in Ponnathota village of Jammalamadugu constituencies of Kadapa district following a clash between TDP and YSRC.
One YSRC activist suffered a head injury. Police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the mob and control the situation. TDP activists destroyed a polling booth at Yelamanda village in Narasaropet of Guntur district.
Meanwhile, activists of both the parties also clashed in Sanivarapupeta of Eluru ruler Mandal in West Godavari district. Activists on both sides suffered injuries and were hospitalized. Clashes also took place between activists of both the places.