Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 12: There is a provision for the voters to complain to the officials at the polling booths about improper functioning of the electronic voting machines. They have to make formal application in a form that would be provided and get a chance to cast their votes again. However, if their complaint is proved to be false, they stand the risk of being sent behind the bars for six months apart from being slapped with a fine of Rs 1,000.

The Election Commission has taken the provision given to the voters to complain about the vote cast by him or her going in favour of another candidate for whom it was unintended, with all seriousness. Presiding officer and booth level officer will subject the voters in such cases to questioning. The voter is allowed to exercise his or her franchise again. Thereafter, the machine is subjected to scrutiny. If the complaint is genuine, the vote cast by the complainant gets registered. Otherwise, complaint under section 177/6 is registered. He or she will get arrested and faces imprisonment for six months along with fine of Rs 1,000.

Early in the morning, mock voting is conducted in the presence of polling agents. This provision is made to ensure that the machine never malfunctions. People making false claims are sure to face jail sentence and fine.