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Repoll ordered in four polling stations

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Election Commission of India has ordered repoll in three polling stations in Chavara constituency and one polling station in Karunagappaly constituency in Kollam district on account of evidence that suggested bogus voting. The order covers polling stations numbers 4, 64 and 85 in Chavara and polling station 90 in Karunagapally. The polling will take place on April 26 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

These polling stations had recorded voter turnouts exceeding 80 per cent. During scrutiny of polling stations with high polling percentages, the election observes found that the presiding officers in the three polling stations had signed for many voters in form 17A. The voters themselves are required to affix their signature or thumb impression in the form.

In Karunagapally, a large number of thumb impressions were seen in the form and malpractice was suspected. Votes were cast through 8449 polling stations in the first phase of polls held in six districts on Saturday. Irregularities were detected only in four of them during scrutiny, official sources said. .

Polling percentage

The polling percentage in the first phase of elections in Kerala is 69.78 as per the latest official figures. The first phase covered 59 constituencies in six southern districts. Alappuzha district recorded the highest average polling percentage followed by Idukki. The lowest polling percentage was in Thiruvananthapuram district.

Chief Electoral Officer Nalini Netto said Cherthala constituency in Alappuzha district had recorded the highest polling percentage of 79.26 among the 59 constituencies. The lowest polling percentage was in Thiruvananthapuram West constituency (51.28 per cent). More than 92 per cent of the voters had cast their votes in one of the polling booths in Cherthala constituency.

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