Thiruvananthapuram: The first phase of election day voting began in five districts early Tuesday. Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki will select their preferred candidates to local self-govt institutions today. Voting is being held in adherence to covid protocols at all polling stations(booths). Early morning turnout has been fairly large with long ques witnessed at most places.
In Alappuzha the malfunction of voting machine at 7 booths caused brief disruption to polling there. Pullapra booth in Pathanamthitta’s Ranni too had some glitches with the electronic voting machines(EVM). Also two booths in Kollam and 3 in Thiruvananthapuram reported EVM malfunction in the early hour.
Polling arrangements across the five districts at all booths were complete by Monday. Booths were disinfected and safety gear for officials provided. Also transferred were 91 lakh N95 masks, 6 lakhs gloves, 2.22 face shields, reusable masks numbering 3000 and 2.8 lakh liters of sanitsing lotion.
Voters have to sanitise their hands before and after casting their ballot. Those who tested positive up to Monday evening and persons under quarantine can vote via postal ballot. Others drawn into these categories after Monday evening, can visit polling stations in the last one hour where officials at the booth will oversee their voting in PPE kits. At such time, there would be four officials and one police personnel attending the booth.
88,26,620 voters are expected to cast their votes today. Polling that began at 7 in the morning and will close by 6 pm.
