65 per cent polling in Arunachal Pradesh

Amid heavy rains, an estimated 65% of the electorate exercised their franchise in Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections.

Amid heavy rains, an estimated 65 per cent of the electorate exercised their franchise in Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections.

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Election Commission Spokesman AN Jha said in New Delhi that about 65 per cent of the electorate cast their votes and repolling has been ordered in seven polling stations.

The state, which graduated to parliamentary democracy in 1978, registered a record 81.2 per cent polling in 1995 followed by 76.3 per cent in 1984, 72.95 per cent in 1999, 72.8 per cent in 1990 and 70.7 per cent in 1998. The Lok Sabha polls had seen a voters' turnout of 56.35 per cent.

While polling personnel could not reach the booths in four stations due to heavy rains and landslides, attempts to snatch ballots and tamper with Electronic Voting Machines were reported in three polling centres, Jha said adding the repolling would be held in the next two days.

Election office sources said polling was adjourned in five polling booths -- three at Vijaynagar in Miao constituency and one each in Ziro and Teju constituencies.

Polling personnel could not reach the Vijaynagar booths due to flash floods following incessant rains for the past three days.

A clash between two groups and a landslide injured some poll personnel and damaged EVMs, which was the reason for the adjournment at Ziro and Teju respectively, the sources said.