Amid complaints of EVM malfunctioning from some places in Thiruvananthapuram, with allegations that all the votes cast were “going only to the BJP”, Congress leader and candidate from the constituency, Shashi Tharoor said Tuesday that the United Democratic Front has lodged an official complaint in the matter.
Tharoor, who cast his vote in the morning at the Cotton Hill Girls’ HighSchool in Vazhuthacaud, told reporters: “The UDF has lodged an official complaint.”
Tharoor remarked that it was “very curious” that “all the EVM malfunctions seem to benefit only one particular party” and that “all the malfunction somehow seems to go towards the lotus”.
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“That’s the story we heard from Kanyakumari a week ago, that’s the story we are hearing from elsewhere. I hope a serious investigation will be done,” he said, adding that the malfunctioning EVM machine has been replaced at the particular booth.
People alleged that the 'lotus' symbol was being displayed though they were pressing the 'hand' symbol. Complaints were being reported from booths in Cherthala and Kovalam.
Tharoor, two-time MP, is contesting against BJP's Kummanam Rajasekaran and the Left Democratic Front’s C Divakaran.
Tharoor expressed confidence of winning the seat again.
Tharoor also voiced concern over names missing from the voters’ list in the constituency, though the people had voted in previous elections.
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Citing media reports, Akhilesh Yadav claimed that EVMs across the country are "malfunctioning or voting for the BJP".
