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High number of VVPATs malfunction in UP, Maharashtra; polling slowed

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New Delhi, May 28 (IANS) An unusually high number of voter verifiable paper audit trail machines, or VVPATs, malfunctioned during the by-polls on Monday on Uttar Pradeshs Kairana and Maharshtras Bhandara-Gondia and Palghar parliamentary constituencies, resulting in long delays in polling at several places.

A total of 1,073 VVPATs malfunctioned cumulatively in three Lok Sabha constituencies and the Noorpur assembly constituency of Uttar Pradesh and had to be replaced, official data showed.

In Maharashtra, on the Bhandara-Gondia parliamentary seat, 413 VVPATs (19.22 per cent of the total machines) besides 43 EVMs and 32 control units malfunctioned at various places. On Palghar parliamentary seat, 276 (13.16 per cent) VVPATs had to be replaced after they malfunctioned.

In Uttar Pradesh’s Kairana, 355 VVPATs (20.82 per cent) were reported malfunctioning which needed to be changed. In Noorpur, 29 paper trail machines (8.25 per cent) had to be replaced due to malfunctioning.

The EC attributed the reasons for such high number of VVPAT malfunctioning to “first time use by polling staff, extreme heat, exposure of machines to direct sun and mishandling during use”.

It said that while the polling staff have developed “expertise” in managing the electronic voting machines (EVMs), they were not well-versed with the use of VVPATs.

The glitches led to delays in polling and very slow polling. Hundreds of voters patiently waited to cast their votes in the blistering heat as the EVMs were replaced.

In Kairana, where BJP is locked in an intense fight with combined opposition including the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Congress, the polling percentage was 54.17 per cent till 6 pm. In the Noorpur assembly segment of the state, the polling percentage was 61 percent till 6 pm.

In Maharashtra, about 40 per cent polling was estimated till 6 pm in the Bhandara-Gondiya parliamentary constituency. In Palghar, the polling percentage was around 47 per cent till 6 pm.

The final polling percentage from the two states was not out till 10 p.m. on Monday.

The opposition smelt a rat in the malfunctioning of the machines and slowed down polling.

A joint delegation of RLD, SP and Congress representatives met EC here and brought to the notice of the Commission concerns about malfunctioning of VVPAT machines. A BJP delegation too met the EC separately in the day.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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