The three Parliamentary constituencies of Chennai are likely to have registered a lower turnout compared to the 2014 elections. By 9 p.m., Chennai North reported a turnout of 61.76%, Chennai Central 57.86% and Chennai South 57.43%.
By 9 a.m., Chennai North recorded a turnout of 4.92%, Chennai South 7.36% and Chennai Central 8.90%. Turnout in the three constituencies of the city increased from 7.02% to 21.81% by 11 a.m. By 3 p.m., the turnout was 40.22%, touching 50.18% by 5 p.m. Chennai North, which reported a low turnout in the morning because of glitches in EVMs, registered the highest turnout by 5 p.m. and continued to report a high turnout in the evening. Turnout for the previous Lok Sabha election in 2014 in North Chennai was 64.01%, Central Chennai 61.39% and South Chennai 60.44%.
According to data compiled by the District Election Office, turnout was initially low in many polling booths in the morning. It rapidly picked up by 11 a.m., decreased after noon and and increased again in the evening. In areas of the Chennai North Parliamentary constituency, reports of malfunctioning of many EVMs were received by election officials. Polling was delayed in many areas as seven control units, 13 ballot units and 22 VVPATs were reportedly malfunctioning. Before commencement of polling, 10 control units, 17 ballot units and seven VVPATs were also replaced in booths of North Chennai. In Chennai South, polling was delayed in many areas, including Alwarpet, because of malfunctioning of three control units, seven ballot units and 17 VVPATs.
By 6 p.m., turnout in the 3,754 booths in the district was estimated to be more than 63% and tokens were issued to voters in 2,000 polling booths, permitting them to cast their votes after 6 p.m. Serpentine queue was reported in the 2,000 polling booths after 6 p.m. Officials said monitoring of webcasting of 450 vulnerable polling booths was intensified after 5 p.m. to prevent booth capturing. The final data on turnout will be released late in the night.
Surveillance intensified
Following allegations of distribution of cash for votes in some areas, the Chennai District Election Office intensified surveillance of many of the 174 localities in the South Chennai, 41 in the North Chennai and 108 in the Central Chennai Parliamentary constituencies.
Many electors in polling booths reported a rise in deletion of names on the electoral rolls and were found returning home without casting their vote. More than 50 electors were unable to vote in George Town.
For constituency-specific reports of Chennai, goto: http://bit.ly/2Vbbo 0C (north) http://bit.ly/2Gt7doO (central) http://bit.ly/2Gz7khB (south)
