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Poised polling in Attingal

May 17, 2016 12:00 am | Updated 05:48 am IST - ATTINGAL:

Determined to vote:A physically challenged voter is being carried to the booth at Government LPS, Thekkada, Nedumangad, on Monday.– Photo: S. Mahinsha

The fate of as many as 68 candidates in six constituencies — Varkala, Attingal, Chirayinkeezhu, Nedumangad, Vamanapuram and Aruvikkara, where the electoral battles were more or less bi-polar in nature, have been sealed.

The polling passed off peacefully in most places.

One could witness a long line of voters at booths in Nedumangad, Vamanapuram, Aruvikkara and Attingal right from the morning itself and the momentum continued throughout the polling day in these places.

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Despite a cloudy weather, voters started reaching early. However, the coastal booths in Varkala and Chirayinkeezhu constituencies showed a marked difference. The rush of voters to the booths in the costal hamlets was mostly after noon. For instance, only around 80 voters turned up for voting at St Joseph’s Higher Secondary School booth, which forms part of the Chirayinkeezhu constituency, during the first two hours. The situation changed drastically after 12 p.m. when people came out in large numbers.

Official delays

The lack of experience in handling poll process resulted in delay. For example, voting moved in a very slow pace at Government High School, Avanancherry in the Attingal constituency, during first few hours as polling officials took time to get accustomed to the system.

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“There was a particular incident at a booth in the Attingal constituency where the poll official took time to read out voters name due to vision problem. This delayed polling process,” said an official.

Supporters of candidates were seen making last minute attempts to get maximum voters and also kept a close watch on movement of their opponents around polling booths. The police and para military force personnel deployed for poll duty were quickly approached by election officials in preventing interference by candidates and their supporters.

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