71.43 p.c. of votes polled in Thoothukudi district

Thoothukudi district comprising six assembly constituencies recorded 71.43 per cent of polling on Monday.

There might be a marginal difference in the polling percentage as voters at Governagiri in Ottapidaram constituency turned out after a long delay.

The voters, who thronged and waited in a long queue in a booth till 6 p.m., were given tokens to cast their votes.

In the 2011 election, Thoothukudi district achieved 75 per cent polling.

However, polling commenced at 7 a.m. amidst tight security in the constituencies across Thoothukudi district. A total of 85 candidates from various political parties contested from constituencies including Thoothukudi, Kovilpatti, Tiruchendur, Srivaikuntam, Vilathikulam and Ottapidaram (Reserved).

Sources said there was an hour delay in polling after an EVM in a booth at Seena Vaana School in Thoothukudi suffered a technical glitch. However, 11 VVPAT machines were replaced in booths at some locations in Thoothukudi constituency after they suffered a technical problem.

Besides, nine electronic voting machines had been replaced as they did not function properly and voters could not access them.

But, polling was not affected as the machines were replaced soon, Returning Officer for the Constituency, S. Gopala Sundara Raj, said.

Brisk polling was witnessed in booths at Kovilpatti, Vilathikulam and Tiruchendur constituencies since morning. Braving rain, voters got access to booths in Kovilpatti and Vilathikulam and cast their votes.

Four EVMs, which suffered technical faults in some booths in Kovilpatti, were replaced.

One of the replaced EVMs recorded 28 votes polled, Kovilpatti Sub Collector and Returning Officer, M. Kannabiran, said.