Repolling in Assam's Dima Hasao after EVM records excess votes

After 171 votes were recorded in a polling booth in the Haflong constituency in Assam's Dima Hasao district with only 90 voters on the list, repolling has been ordered in both the main and auxiliary polling stations.

"As per the valid electoral roll, there are only 90 electors against this Polling Station. It is noted that Main Polling Station, i.e. P.S. No. 107 – Mualdam L.P. has 616 electors. Total 181 votes were casted at Polling Station No. 107-A, on April 1, 2021," Assam chief electoral officer (CEO) Nitin Khade said in a statement while adding that this is the first time the said auxiliary polling station had been established, as reported by The Northeast Today. The presiding and first polling officers admitted to allowing voters registered against the main polling station to cast their votes at the auxiliary polling booth, he added. The Deputy Commissioner cum District Election Officer had suspended five election officials, including the Sector Officer, the Presiding Officer and 3 Polling Officers, for 'dereliction of duty' on April 2 when the issue came to light a day after the constituency went to poll in the second phase of Assam assembly elections conducted on April 1.

This is the second time repolling has been announced at a constituency in Assam. In Ratabari, repolling was announced after polling officials were found to transports EVMs in a private vehicle belonging to a BJP candidate.