Idukki witnesses nearly 10% drop in polling

Kochi: Idukki witnessed a nearly 10% dip in polling as the constituency recorded a polling of around 66.43% when the voting time ended on Friday evening. The constituency had reported 76.36% polling in the 2019 elections.

As per data available at 8.30pm on Friday, 8,30,513 voters cast their votes in Idukki constituency.

Among the voters, 4,05,943 were females, 4,24,564 were males and six transgender persons. Highest polling was recorded in Kothamangalam assembly constituency region while the least was in Idukki assembly constituency region. The final polling figures may vary when the official declaration of the Election Commission is made, said a source.

Candidates of the three major fronts Dean Kuriakose, Joyce George and Sangeetha Viswanathan cast their votes early in the day.

CPM local functionary held for attempting bogus voting

UDF candidate Dean Kuriakose alleged that there was widespread attempt by CPM to cast bogus votes in Idukki. He alleged that more problems were in CPM strongholds.

Kumily police arrested a CPM local functionary for attempting to cast vote again after casting his vote in another booth. Police identified the arrested as Biju Kollimala. He was released on bail as per the direction of polling officials.

Kuriakose said it was the CPM branch committee secretary who was caught while attempting to cast bogus votes in Chakkuvallam panchayat. He claimed that it was due to the timely intervention of UDF workers that the man was caught while attempting to cast vote at booth no. 80 after already casting vote at booth no. 77. He also alleged that bogus votes happened in booths 63 and 66 of Karimannoor panchayat. He also made similar claims for booths at Kalloorkad and Maradi.

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