Voting in 14 Assembly constituencies of Ernakulam got off to a slow start thanks to incessant rains from Monday morning.
However, polling picked up considerably after the first hour when rain stopped. Voting started right on the dot in all constituencies after the mock poll exercise in the presence of booth agents of political parties to ensure that the Electronic Voting Machines were in order.
The update of voter turnout in the initial hours by the election department was at best sketchy thanks to the breakdown of the Android-based SMS system put in place for the presiding officers to make hourly updates.
Three EVMs in Perumbavur constituency developed snag. They were promptly replaced and polling continued unabated. More than 41 per cent of voters at the polling booth at an anganawady at Korunkotta had cast their votes by 10.30 a.m. Incidentally the booth has the lowest number of voters in the district. Around the same time the polling exceeded 51 per cent in Thalukandom Adivasi colony in Kothamangalam.
Power failed in two polling booths in Kunnathunadu constituency but was restored soon.
Actors Mammootty and son Dulqar Salman voted at the Government High School in Panamppilly Nagar. Emerging after voting, Mr. Salman exhorted all, especially youngsters to come out and vote in hordes. K. Babu, who is contesting from Tripunithura constituency as UDF candidate, voted at the Government Girls High School, Tripunithura.
District collector M.G. Rajamanickam and wife Nishanthini, SP, voted at SRV High School, Ernakulam.
