No abnormality in poll pattern in Tiruchi district

Suspicion arises If any ward or booth records more than 80%, says civic body chief

A review on pattern and percentage of polling registered in the local body elections was carried out here on Sunday to rule out abnormality.

The review conducted in the presence of Election Observer Kalaiselvi Mohan and Collector S. Sivarasu, and involving Returning Officers, critically analysed the percentage of polling in Tiruchi City Corporation, Thuraiyur, Manapparai, Thuvakudi, Musiri and Lalgudi municipalities and 14 town panchayats.

Tiruchi Corporation recorded 57.25%. Out of 7,79,658 voters, 4,46,321 voters exercised their franchise. Out of 65 wards, seven wards recorded above 64%. Others registered between 50% and 64%. The wards belonging to Srirangam zone recorded an average of 60%. Though women outnumbered men in terms of eligible voters, more men turned up at polling booths. While the percentage of men who cast votes stood at 58.84%, it was 56.76% for women.

“The question of abnormality or suspicion arises If any ward or booth records more than 80%. We find no abnormal polling percentage in any ward or any booth,” said P.M.N. Mujibur Rahuman, Corporation Commissioner, who was also the Returning Officer of Tiruchi Corporation.

While acknowledging that the percentage of polling was lower than expected, he said Tiruchi Corporation did better than many cities. The reasons for poor percentage would be studied.

Collector S. Sivarasu told The Hindu that no booths or wards required repolling in the district. All electronic voting machines (EVMs) reached the respective counting centres before 6 a.m. on Sunday. They were verified in the presence of the agents of candidates before being sealed in strong rooms. No one would be allowed to go near the strong rooms except police personnel and competent authorities. The entire proceedings would be videographed continuously. The representatives of candidates had been allotted space to monitor the activities. They could also view the footage of closed circuit television camera at any time.

He said counting would take place at 20 centres in different parts of the district. Jamal Mohamed College would be the counting centre for votes polled in Tiruchi Corporation. The votes polled in Thuvakudi municipality would be counted in Urumu Dhanalakshmi College. Jayaram Engineering College at Karattampatti and Kurinji Engineering College would be the counting centres of votes polled in Thuraiyur and Manapparai municipalities respectively. The votes polled in Musiri would be counted at Government Higher Secondary School in Musiri.