Glitch-free voting in first polls with 100% VVPATs

New Delhi: Marking the first Lok Sabha elections where VVPATs were deployed in 100 per cent of polling stations, voting happened with no major technical issues reported during the first phase polls, the Election Commission said on Thursday.

Polling was held in 91 Lok Sabha constituencies across 20 states and Union Territories, along with simultaneous state polls in 295 Assembly seats in four states.

Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain told the media that deployment of electronic voting machines (EVM) was successful as "lowest-ever" number of EVMs had to be replaced during the first phase.

"In all, only 0.73 per cent of ballot units, 0.61 per cent of control units and 1.7 per cent of VVPAT (voter verified paper audit trail) units had to be replaced," he said, adding that this was even lower than the November-December 2018 Assembly polls.

Jain said it was a significant achievement through collective effort considering that it was the first-ever Lok Sabha election where 100 per cent VVPAT deployment was made.

The Election Commission officers informed that Rs 2626 Crore - cash Rs 607 Crore, liquor worth Rs 198 Crore, drug & narcotics worth Rs 1091 Crore, precious metal worth Rs 486 Crore, freebies & other items worth Rs 48 Crore were seized till 6 PM today.