Heavy turnout in re-polling in TN, Kerala

Chennai/Thiruvananthapuram, April 17: Over 80 per cent voters exercised their franchise in re-polling in eight polling booths in Tamil Nadu and two in Kerala on Saturday.

The re-poll was ordered in view of malfunctioning of EVMs at some places and minor skirmishes in certain areas during the Assembly polls in both states on April 13.

In Tamil Nadu, 81.3 per cent of voters cast their votes in eight polling booths in six constituencies, while in Kerala, 80.5 and 72.28 per cent exercised their franchise, Election Commission sources in both states said.

Election commission sources said Sankarankovil constituency in Tirunelveli recorded the highest poll percentage of 93.2 while Killiyur in Kanniyakumari district registered the lowest of 70.2 per cent.

Bodinaickanur constituency in Theni reported 80.8 per cent while two polling booths in Thiruvidaimarudhur constituency reported 87.2 per cent and 82.8 per cent respectively.

Two polling stations in Neyveli constituency under Cuddalore district reported 84.3 per cent and 82.8 per cent. Arani in Tiruvannamalai constituency reported 75 per cent.

In Kerala, repolling was held in booth number 88 in Chalakkudy assembly segment and in booth number 118 at Vallappuzha in Pattambi segment.

The EC ordered repoll in Vallappuzha booth after it was found BJP's 'lotus' symbol was pasted against the name of the Congress candidate, while in Chalakkudy, names of 27 voters were found missing from the EVMs.

PTI