Hundreds of angry people demonstrated before the Pune Collector's office here today after finding their names missing from the voters' lists in the city.
A large number of people, who had exercised their franchise in previous elections, complained that they had to return disappointed without casting their vote because of anomalies in electoral rolls.
While District Collector Saurabh Rao tried to pacify agitated citizens, assuring that he would discuss the matter with top election officials in Delhi, BJP candidate Anil Shirole alleged that the state administrative machinery was involved in a "conspiracy" with the ruling Congress-NCP combine to delete the names of thousands of voters considered to be traditional BJP supporters.
The BJP candidate also threatened to go on a fast tomorrow morning if the collector did not order a re-poll for those who could not vote today.
Among those who protested after being denied the right to vote was actor Amol Palekar.
However, despite the glitch, the city registered an increased voting percentage of around 50 per cent at 1700 hours (one hour before the polling ended), as compared to a poor total percentage of 40 per cent during the 2009 elections.
