Ottapidaram polled 72.61 pc, nearly 74.17 pc at Tiruparankundram

While Tiruparankundram constituency has recorded polling percentage of 74.17 until 6 pm, Ottapidaram constituency registered 72.61 per cent, sources said.

Voters turned out in a total of 297 polling stations across Tiruparankundram constituency. However, a woman voter identified as Maheswari fell down after suffering fits while approaching booth number 195 at Avaniyapuram in Madurai. Her relatives, who accompanied her, assisted her and managed to get her a cup of tea, subsequently, sources said.

After inspecting arrangements, Madurai Collector and District Election Officer S Nagarajan said except for replacing three VVPATs, polling went off smoothly. While two VVPATs were replaced during mock polls at booth number 60 stationed at Panchayat Union Middle School, Vilasery and in booth No 213 at a Nursery and Primary School in Avaniyapuram, Madurai, one VVPAT has been replaced in booth No 150 A at Panchayat Union Middle School in Ayanpappakudi. This segment recorded 61.99 per cent until 5 p.m., sources said.

It was unfortunate that a 60-year voter Madasamy of Ceylon Colony near Panchalankurichi in Ottapidaram Assembly constituency fell down and died few minutes after voting. Sources said the victim had earlier exercised his franchise at polling Booth No 43 and died in his house. He was unwell and suffered health problems, sources said.

With a total of 257 polling stations, polling progressed at a steady pace in Ottapidaram constituency after voters in queues waited for their turn. According to Thoothukudi Collector and District Election Officer Sandeep Nanduri, polling was peaceful throughout the day. Among these polling stations, live webcasting was done in 143 booths, he said.

As for Tiruparankundram constituency, polling was on even after 6 pm in nine booths as voters, who reached those booths at the fag-end of polling, were provided with tokens. In Ottapidaram constituency, three booths saw polling beyond 6 pm, sources said.

After polling ended, the EVMs were sealed in the presence of electoral authorities and taken to strong rooms amidst tight security.

Besides, re-polling in two booths under Theni Lok Sabha constituency at Balasamuthiram in Andipatti has recorded 79.76 per cent until 6 pm in booth number 67 and 63.91 per cent in booth number 197 at Vadugapatti in Periyakulam, sources said.