Kerala   

Large turnout in Kerala byelections

Thiruvananthapuram: The electorate in Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Kannur Assembly constituencies turned out in large numbers to vote in the byelections held for the three seats on Saturday to record some of the highest polling percentages in recent years.

Official figures put the average polling percentage in the three constituencies at about 72, with Kannur registering a high of 79.06.

Alappuzha registered 75.24 per cent, while Ernakulam shrugged off voter apathy witnessed in recent years to poll 64.64 per cent when reports last came in.

The voting percentage may go up by a few percentage points once the final figures are tabulated.

The polling in Kannur was peaceful, which was unexpected considering the fact that the constituency was the fulcrum of the byelection battle that witnessed a confrontation between the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Congress.

The presence of Central forces and the security arrangements inside the polling booths and outside did have its effect on the atmosphere in Kannur on the polling day. Long queues could be seen in at least 11 booths even after 5 p.m. when polling was supposed to end. Electoral officers went by the book, checking the credentials of newly enrolled voters who were allowed to cast their votes after biometric fingerprinting.

In Alappuzha, polling went on with clockwork precision, despite minor scuffles reported in certain areas. Inclement weather did not prevent voters from turning up at polling booths. Coastal areas witnessed heavy polling. As in Kannur, long queues were seen in front of a few polling booths here well past 5 p.m. Polling was held under the watchful eyes of a battalion from the Karnataka police.

Ernakulam witnessed peaceful polling in the 137 polling booths in the constituency.

For political parties that have been battling voter apathy in the Ernakulam Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies, which have witnessed several byelections in the past decade, a higher voting percentage was good news. Urban voters turned out in large numbers this time when compared to previous elections.

The significant aspect of polling in all the three constituencies was the large women voter turnout. Long queues of women were seen in several booths, especially in the afternoon session of polling.

The higher voting percentages will provide enough debating points to political parties till Tuesday when counting of votes will be held. The Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front expressed optimism about the outcome of the byelection.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

School Notes
Display of skills
Using the wrong place
Camp for parents of special children
To the polls
Exercising their franchise
Large turnout in Kerala byelections

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu