As voting started at 7.30 am, EVMs at a couple of polling centers did not start. Even at closing time, an EVM developed a problem. But PCMC election officials said their team acted quickly to replace the machines and get the process underway.

Voting advanced slowly in 2,067 polling stations located throughout the industrial city. In the first two hours, only 6.56 percent of the votes were registered. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., voting increased and recorded 28.15 percent. After 1:30 p.m., it increased to 40 percent.

Apart from many complaints about the EVMs, the main complaints of voters were about the inability to find their polling booths. Those who searched and located their boxes went to the polling booths only to discover that their names were missing from that box. “Not only the polling booth missing, but even some voters found that their name was in the neighboring prabhag. It seemed that the election officials did not act online,” said Amol Deshpande, a resident of Pradhikaran.

Another complaint was that senior citizens had to vote because they had to press buttons on the EVM during four difficult times, Deshapnde said.

Echoing this view, BJP candidate Rahul Kalate from Wakad Prabhag said, “Some citizens found their names online, but when they reached the polling centres, their names were missing. This disappointed some voters, others there were no major complaints.”

NCP leader Sarang Kamtekar said that in Indrayani Nagar-Balajinagar area, as soon as the elections began, an EVM machine at a polling center did not work. “There was a half-hour delay until election officials found a replacement,” he said.

Further, Kamtekar said that at a polling station in Indrayani Nagar, after 5.30 pm, 10 to 15 voters were allowed entry. “We filed a complaint with the president,” he said.

NCP leader Ajit Gavhane said, “In Bhosari area, the voting process had some problems, especially the disappearance of ink on voters’ fingers. Similarly, voters had difficulty finding their booths. I think some irritated voters might have returned home.”

Shatrughan Kate, president of Pimpri-Chinchwad BJP unit, said, “In Pimple Saudagar, voting went beyond the stipulated deadline. There was only one problem with one EVM which was quickly replaced by the officials. Voters complained that there was a difference between the booth number mentioned next to their name on the pp and that of the actual location. This led to many rushes, especially for those relatives who had come with their elderly and sick citizens. Several voters also complained that the polling booths were located far from the entrance, in some places there were no suitable wheelchairs.” Kate competes from the Pimple Saudagar area.

Domnic Lobo, who voted in Sangvi area, said: “Several citizens found it difficult to vote for four candidates. Elderly and illiterate citizens found it difficult to exercise their right to vote in Sangvi area and I am sure it was similar everywhere. The voting process should be simple and hassle-free. Voters should not be forced to vote for many candidates. Also, we found it difficult to know if the vote was for the actual candidate we voted for… The system was there in previous elections.”

Iklas Sayeed, who voted in Akurdi, said: “There were no major complaints except at one polling centre, two people were caught trying to vote twice. They were caught by the police after some party workers objected.”

Election officials admitted there were some complaints, but none of them were major. “The entire voting process was smooth and peaceful. Except for a few complaints about the EVMs, which were quickly replaced, there were no other major complaints… We hardly had any complaints about fake votes,” said municipal commissioner Shravan Hardikar, under whom the election process is being finalised.

Hardikar said, “At 75 per cent centers, voting was completed on time, while at 25 per cent centers it continued till 8 pm.” He said only one complaint was received about the ink fading. “I had ordered the officials to make the ink mark a little thicker.

Talking about the slow pace of the voting process, Hardikar said, “In some places, senior citizens and uneducated voters found it difficult to vote for four candidates. The process had to be explained to them, which led to some delays.”