Mangalore: 'Dead' woman walks to booth, goes back without casting her vote

Mangalore, Mar 8 (TNN): Elections to 60 wards of the Mangalore City Corporation and other urban local bodies in Dakshina Kannada district passed off peacefully with out any untoward incidents.

However, complaints of names missing from voters' list, glitches in electronic voting machine (EVM) and violations of poll guidelines created confusion.

When Aisamma, 54, went to exercise her franchise in booth number five of ward number four in Ullal Town Municipality, she was turned away by the official on election duty saying that her name was missing from the voters' list. Her name was removed from the list saying she is 'dead'. However, the list featured the name of Radiyamma, a family member of Aisamma, who had passed away some time ago.
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Though her name figured in the voter's list, ironically, officials preparing the voter's list deleted the name of Aisamma, citing reason that the person is dead. Helpless Aisamma could not exercise her franchise even though she was physically present at the polling station.

Lack of clarity about identity cards also created confusion in many polling stations. A voter had brought Aadhaar card as an identity proof to cast his vote in booth number 22 of ward number 16 in Ullal Town Municipality. However, the presiding officer of the polling station was not sure about allowing it as there was no mention of Aadhaar card in the list of 21 alternative identity cards, which one can use instead of EPIC. Later, with the permission of higher officials, the voter was allowed to vote.

Though several instances of glitches in EVM were reported, the technical team managed to rectify it without wasting much time. The EVM at polling station number 371 of Mahakalipadpu ward in the city went defunct after 50 votes were polled around 8.45am. The technical team replaced it with a new one and the election process resumed at 9.40am.

A similar incident was also reported from Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Higher Primary School, Padavu too. The technical team set right the faulty EVM within 45 minutes.

Lack of clarity regarding the use of mobile phones in the polling station premises led to an altercation between a voter and a policeman on duty at booth number 39 of Idya ward. A woman received a phone call outside the polling station. The policeman on duty seized the phone from her and that led to the altercation between the two. However, later the issue was resolved amicably with the cop returning the cellphone to her.

Tender ballot

An instance of a voter exercising franchise through tender ballot paper was reported from polling station number 12 of Katipalla East ward. Voter Shameen Yasmin, 36, was disappointed to know that her vote had already been cast. The presiding officer of the booth issued her a tender ballot paper following her request and she exercised her franchise through it.