Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod

Updated

Kasargod, Apr 10: At the end of the polling day on Thursday April 10, Kasargod recorded a high voter turnout of 78.5 percent.

The polling was brisk especially towards the end of the day, with people lining up in long queues to exercise their franchise. Though polling was scheduled to end at 6 pm, it went on till 6.30 pm.

Trikkaripura, Kalliasseri of Kannur district and Payyanur recorded the highest polling percentage of over 80 percent each. It may be noted that all three places are strongholds of CPI(M).

The day was largely peaceful, but a few stray incidents of trouble between some of the political parties were reported in various places. In Uppala, SDPI, BJP and CPI(M) members clashed with booth agent of UDF alleging the latter of casting fake votes. The police intervened and the situation was soon brought under control.

In a similar incident at Perurkadavu, a presiding officer was allegedly attacked after he alleged UDF of trying to cast fake votes. A complaint was filed with the EC in this regard.

In Udupi, UDF booth agents claimed that the presiding officer did not let them be at their booths.

Voting was relatively less in places like Manjeshwar which recorded 70.4 percent turnout. Kasargod saw 72.4 percent turnout, while in Uduma it was 75.2 percent, Kanhangad 79.5 percent,Trikkaripura 81.9 percent, Payyanur 88.8 percent and Kaliasseri 80.8 percent.

In 2009, Kasargod had recorded a turnout of 76.08 percent.

Second Update

Kasargod records 42 percent turnout by noon; voter dies at polling booth

Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (EP)

Update: 1.30 pm

Kasargod, Apr 10: By 1 pm, Kasargod recorded a voter turnout of 42 percent in the polling for the Lok Sabha elections that got under way here on Thursday April 10.

Though polling has been largely peaceful so far, it has not been entirely without incidents.

A 80-year-old woman voter at Kanhangad, identified as Ayesha suffered a heart attack and died at the polling booth.

At Uppala, the EVM in one of the booths malfunctioned and polling was delayed by an hour while the officials replaced the machine.

The polling will continue till 6 pm. Altogether 16 candidates are in fray in the constituency.

Earlier Report

Kerala goes to polls: Voting begins in Kasargod

Kasargod, Apr 10: The polling for the all-important Lok Sabha elections got under way in Kasargod constituency on Thursday April 10. Along with Kerala, 14 states/union territories including Delhi, UP, and Bihar go to polls in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

Polling began at 7 am and will go on till 6 pm. The votes will be counted on May 16.

People began queuing up at their respective booths early in the day. By 8.30 am, Kasargod recorded a turnout of 9 percent.

BJP candidate K Surendran cast his vote at Nellikunje, while Congress candiate T Siddique voted in Kozhikode. P Karunakar of CPI (M) cast his vote at Nileshwar.

Fourteen candidates are in the fray in Kasargod constituency: T Siddique from Congress (UDF), P
Karunakaran from CPI (M), K Surendran from BJP, Bashir Aladi from BSP, Abdul Salam N U from SDPI, Abbas Mothalappara from All India Trinamool Congress, Ambalathara Kunhikrishnan from AAP, and Independents Aboobacker Siddiq, K K Ashokan, Nellikadan Kannan, Karunakaran Kalipurayil, Karunakaran Paiangappadam, Manohan K and P K Raman. 

This time, the EVM also has NOTA to option that gives the voter the right to reject all candidates.

The constituency has 12,40,600 voters. Kasargod Loksabha constituency includes seven Legislative Assembly constituencies of Manjeshwara, Kasargod, Uduma,Kanhangad, Trikkaripura, Kalliasseri of Kannur district and Payyanur. There are one lac new voters in the list.

Electronic voting machines and other necessary items were delivered at the booths on Wednesday April 9.  The EVMs were delivered to Government College Padannakad and Nehru Arts and Science College from where they were distributed to various booths. 

All precautions have been taken to ensure fair and free elections. Webcast facility has been made available in 66 polling booths.

Police, paramilitary forces have been deployed to provide security in all the booths.

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