Voting in a polling station at Kyndong Tuber under Raliang constituency had to be stopped following technical snags with the EVM machine after it was reported that VVPAT was not tallying with the balloting unit.

Polling in this village, which accounts for 628 voters, had to be stopped and re-polling will be held any of these days.

The villagers and supporters of an independent candidate from that constituency, Richard Singh Lyngdoh, alleged that which ever button they pressed, only the BJP symbol is being displayed in the VVPAT screen.

It was reported that during the polling, the VVPAT got spoiled at 12:30 am and technicians reached the polling station only at 2:15 pm with a new VVPAT. They changed the machine however, it was reported the new VVPAT was not tallying with the balloting unit.

Meanwhile, the state CEO has brushed aside reports stating that only Lotus symbol appeared on the screen and maintained that there was a mix up. “Its a rumour. Facts are different,” he added.

Furthermore, he said “Most probably re-polling will be held not because of any Lotus symbol issue but because there was technical snags with the VVPAT,” adding that a VVPAT from a different polling station was brought in by mistake resulting in the whole mix up.

Exit polls on Tuesday predicted a expansion of BJP's footprint in the northeast with wins for its alliances in Tripura and Nagaland. In Meghalaya, NPP founded by former Speaker P A Sangma is projected to lead in a hung House unseating ruling Congress.

Wins in Tripura and Nagaland would be a big plus for BJP which has had a marginal presence in Tripura and Nagaland. Given that NPP is an NDA member, BJP wouldn't be too unhappy with it replacing Congress in Meghalaya either even if its own projected tally is rather modest.

Of the three exit polls, two gave BJP and its ally IPFT a clear win in Tripura while the third suggested a neck and neck fight with the ruling Left Front.