Polling official hospitalised

Kochi, Apr 29 (UNI) A polling official on duty in the Thrippunithura constituency of Ernakulam district was hospitalised after he suffered a stroke this morning during the second phase of the elections to the Kerala assembly.

Officials said Manuel, the second polling officer at a booth in Ponnurunthy, was taken to the Medical Centre hospital after he collapsed shortly before voting began.

Polling was not affected since there were others assigned to the booth and reserve officials patrolling the area.

Meanwhile, nearly 40 per cent of the electorate in the district cast their votes till 1300 hrs.

Thrippunithura constituency saw the maximum of 48.3 per cent polling, followed by Perumbavoor and Njarakkal with 48 per cent each. The lowest, 31 per cent, was recorded in the tiny coastal constituency of Mattanchery.

Polling has so far been peaceful with no reports of any untoward incident.

The poll percentages in other constituencies were: Kunnathunadu-46 per cent; Angamali- 44; Vadakkekara- 43; Palluruthy- 41; Piravom-40; Kothamangalam- 36.5; Paravur- 36; Aluva 32.15; Ernakulam- 32; Muvattupuzha- 31.4.

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