Bengaluru: The Election Commission of India (ECI) will hold voting on April 29 in Chamarajanagar’s Indiganath village, where voting was disrupted due to violence on Friday.
Voting was stopped midway on Friday in view of the violence caused by the destruction of electronic voting machines (EVMs). The Election Commission took note of this and declared the process invalid.
“The Election Commission hereby declares that the poll held on 26.04.2024 at Polling Station No. 146, Government Lower Primary School, Indiganath, 221-Hannur Assembly Constituency of 21-Chamarajanagar Parliamentary Constituency will be void and appointed on 29 April 2024 (Monday) As the date for holding fresh polls,” an order from ECI Under Secretary, Avadesh Kumar Sinha said.
The station has a total of 528 voters living under the limits of Indiganath and Mendare villages. For the past few years, villagers have been threatening to boycott voting in protest against the lack of facilities provided by governments. There was a call for boycott on Friday also.
Election officials tried to intervene and persuade some residents to exercise their franchise. He was successful to some extent in reassuring the people as nine of them came forward and cast their vote. However, a group of angry villagers started protesting, which soon turned violent.
“The crowd went on a rampage, broke the 100 meter perimeter, pelted stones at officials and the polling booth. The rioters entered the polling booth, destroyed and burnt election material and EVM machines. As a result, polling has been stopped. An FIR has been registered and the Election Commission of India has been informed,” the Election Commission had said on Friday.
