Barring isolated incidents, polling peaceful in Palakkad

PALAKKAD: Despite minor technical glitches in electronic voting machines in some booths and altercations between voters standing in the queue, the voting process in Palakkad bypoll remained by and large peaceful.

However, booth number 48 at Vennakkara Government High School, witnessed an altercation between the workers on three fronts. BJP and LDF workers clashed with UDF workers over allegations that UDF candidate Rahul Mamkoottathil entered the polling booth to solicit votes. They accused him of entering the booth with party workers and raising his hand—a gesture linked to the UDF’s election symbol. Police intervened promptly and defused the tension.

Denying allegations that he tried to canvass votes inside the booth, Rahul said: “When LDF candidate visited the booth, there were no objections from anyone. But when I arrived, both BJP and LDF workers jointly opposed me. They claim that candidates aren’t allowed to even stand in the vicinity.” He said both LDF and NDA workers are jittery as they are afraid of defeat. He also said it is easy to verify such allegations as the booths are under the surveillance of CCTV cameras.