Polling workers were troubled a lot due to rain and storm.
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
In the third phase of Lok Sabha elections, Lok Sabha elections were completed peacefully on five seats of Bihar. The rain in Madhepura caused a lot of trouble to the polling workers. The polling personnel were going to seal the EVMs and keep them in the strong room. Suddenly more rain came along with strong wind. The wind speed was so high that the tents installed in the EVM center in the North Campus of BNMU were completely damaged. The polling personnel worked hard and kept the EVMs at a safe place. However, there is a possibility of water getting into some EVMs.
No information about any damage to EVMs
Actually, a strong room has been made in the North Campus of BNMU. Tents have been installed here for the convenience of polling personnel. At around 7 pm on Tuesday evening, water entered the tent due to heavy rain accompanied by a storm. The polling personnel who arrived with the EVMs were seen somehow saving the EVMs by covering them with plastic. During this time, the area around the North Campus was kept under complete security cordon. DM Vijay Prakash Meena, SDM Santosh Kumar and other officers kept inspecting the centers set up assembly wise. As soon as the rain started, EVMs were continuously being instructed through the mike to avoid water. District Information and Public Relations Officer Nikita said that there is no information about any damage to EVMs due to rain. EVMs have been deposited in the strong room till 4 am. The strong room has been sealed.
EVMs were stored late due to rain
Voting for the third phase in Madhepura began at the scheduled time of 7:00 pm and continued till 6:00 pm. The presiding officers at all the polling stations sealed the EVMs and reached the strong room in the North Campus of the University to collect them along with the Magistrate and police forces. But, shortly after the voting ended, first a strong wind blew and then it turned into a storm. Meanwhile, lightning started flashing in the sky and clouds started thundering. Within no time the drizzle turned into heavy rain. It started raining at 6:45 and continued till 7:30. Meanwhile, the presiding officers, magistrates and police forces who were going to Madhepura to collect EVMs remained stranded at various places. He could go towards the strong room only after the rain stopped. The process of collecting EVMs started quite late and continued till late night.