Election Commission orders Re-poll at 18 booths in Arunachal Pradesh with two times security

The fresh polls are being held due to factors which include defective electronic voting machines (EVMs), EVM damaging, and as per complaints received from several political parties regarding polling booth capturing and other incidents.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has approved for re-poll of 18 polling stations under Kurung Kumey and Kra Daadi districts, Additional Chief Electoral Officer of Arunachal Pradesh Kanki Darang informed.

"E CI has fixed April 27 (Saturday) as the date for repoll. The time fixed for voting is 0600 hrs to 1400 hrs," the Additional CEO told media persons here at the Nirvachan Bhawan. Darang said that in Palin Assembly constituency re-polling will be held at five polling stations (Sangram, Joru, Chollo, Restaring and Rakso) while in Nyapin Assembly seat at Cheki, Pating and Kambang. In Tali constituency, 6 Gimba, 12 Korehapa, 18 zara and in Koloriang constitancy, 23 Damin, 24 Taba, 27 Langbang, 28Nampe, 30 Nikoriang , 34 Pani re-polls will be held, he added.

The re-polling has been scheduled in accordance with the commission's instructions, he informed.

The fresh polls are being held due to factors which include defective electronic voting machines (EVMs), EVM damaging, and as per complaints received from several political parties regarding polling booth capturing and other incidents.

Darang informed that additional companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in the district to provide adequate security. "Flying squads will be deployed this time to avoid road-blocks and ensure easy movements of a voter during voting day. Any individual found trying to create law and order problem we will be taken into custody and strong action will be taken against them," Darang further informed. While responding to the viral photo in social media where Bamang Tago, chairman sports Authority of Arunachal is seen with some EVMs inside a chopper, Darang said that Authority does not know how he entered the helicopter. The helicopter was on requisition only for election purpose to carry election materials, he added.

Further, he also informed that after receiving reports of first phase re-polling, the total polling percentage of State reached up to 77.38. The 2014 elections had witnessed 76.96 per cent elector turnout. But after completion of this second phase re-polling the polling percentage will increase, he added.