Kozhikode: Apart from minor clashes and attempts of bogus voting, the poll in general was peaceful in Malabar districts. Though there was slight drizzling at some areas, it was not affected the polling. In Kozhikode, polling ended without any serious incidents, except few minor clashes. High polling was marked in all constituencies where triangular fight was visible. In the last Assembly election, the poll percentage was 81.6.
Malappuram district witnessed peaceful voting on Monday. The 16 constituencies in the district marked a total voter turnout of 74.76 per cent. Highest voting percentage recorded in Eranad constituency with 80.9 per cent. Vengara segment where Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty is contesting marked the lowest voter turnout (70.59 percent).
The malfunction of Electronic voting machines in Othukkungal and Vazhikkadav polling booths of Vengara and Nilambur constituencies respectively lead to nearly an hour’s lag in the voting. Extensive security arrangements were in place in the Maoist hit areas of Nilambur constituency.
Some of the polling booths in Ponnani constituency witnessed arguments between voters and officials over the Aadhaar card as ID proof to cast vote. Many who came with Aadhaar denied permission to vote. In Wayanad district (78.07 percent) district collector arrested 11 officials on Monday morning for failure in reporting for poll duty.
The arrested were deputed for poll duty in various booths. The highest percentage was recorded in Kalpetta (78.65) and the lowest in Mananthavadi constituency (77.2). A voter collapsed and died while returning home at GUP School, Pallikkara enar Mananthavadi. In Kasargod (72 percent), the polling was peaceful apart from few incidents of clashes reported after the polling and few people were also held for trying to do fake votes.
Unlike in the past Kannur (80 percent), with highest number of sensitive booths and sensitive constituencies, polling was comparatively peaceful. Two CPM workers were arrested for casting bogus votes at Peravoor constituency and at Kathirur in Thalassery constituency. In Panoor, police has taken into custody a person following a complaint of fake voting from presiding officer. In Mahe, which is part of Union Territory of Puducherry, 77.18 percent polling recorded.
