Itanagar: Amidst heavy rains, a record low of 65 per cent of the six and half lakh electorate exercised their franchise in Arunachal Pradesh Assembly election held peacefully today (Oct 7, 2004).

Election Commission Spokesman A N Jha told reporters in New Delhi that about 65 per cent of the electorate cast their votes and re-polling has been ordered in seven polling stations.

The State which graduated to Parliamentary democracy in 1978 registered a record 81.2 per cent polling in 1995 followed by 76.3 percent in 1984, 72.95 percent in 1999, 72.8 percent in 1990 and 70.7 percent in 1998. The Lok Sabha polls had seen a voters' turnout of 56.35 percent.

While polling personnel could not reach the booths in four stations due to heavy rains and landslides, attempts to snatch ballots and tamper with Electronic Voting Machines were reported in three polling centres, Jha said adding the re-polling would be held in the next two days.

Election office sources said polling was adjourned in five polling booths three at Vijaynagar in Miao constituency and one each in Ziro and Teju constituencies.

Polling personnel could not reach the Vijaynagar booths due to flash floods following incessant rains for the past three days today.

A clash between two groups and a landslide injured some poll personnel and damaged EVMs, which was the reason for the adjournment at Ziro and Teju respectively, the sources said.