As 4 states and a union territory throughout the nation — West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry — went to polls on Tuesday, the election day witnessed some dramatic scenes that garnered public consideration and left the individuals amused. While the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry held single part elections right this moment, West Bengal went to polls for the third part and Assam carried out the ultimate part of state meeting polls. Held amid tight safety, the elections have been largely peaceable, nevertheless, incidents of sporadic violence have been additionally reported from some elements of the states.
Here’s how the election day turned attention-grabbing within the states and the union territory:
West Bengal
In West Bengal, 4 EVMs and the same variety of VVPATs have been discovered on the home of a Trinamool Congress chief in Howrah district, following which a ballot official was suspended. The incident occurred in Tulsiberia village within the Uluberia Uttar meeting phase. Villagers noticed a car with an Election Commission sticker outdoors the home of the TMC chief within the early hours, after which they began protesting. It was discovered that the officer of sector 17 Tapan Sarkar was visiting the TMC chief’s home with the EVMs. The seized machines weren’t utilized in right this moment’s polling. The sector officer claimed that he reached the world very late and located the polling sales space closed, following that he determined to spend the night time at his relative’s residence, unable to search out any “safe place” to remain.
Sporadic incidents of violence have been reported on Tuesday in some areas the place voting was underway within the third part of the West Bengal meeting elections. Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee alleged “blatant misuse” of central forces to “influence voters”. She additionally shared a screengrab of a scuffle between BJP and TMC supporters in Goghat constituency.
Meanwhile, a BJP supporter’s member of the family was allegedly killed in Hooghly district, hours earlier than the graduation of polling within the space, police mentioned. Madhabi Adak succumbed to her accidents sustained whereas defending her son from just a few males who barged into their home, they mentioned. Adak’s household accused that the TMC was behind the incident, a cost denied by the ruling celebration.
Tamil Nadu
Unlike the common incidents of violence or EVM malfunctions that often change into the spotlight of an election day, polling in Tamil Nadu noticed actors acquire the limelight for various causes. Tamil actor Vijay rode a bicycle to the ballot sales space in Chennai resulting in hypothesis by social media customers who requested if it was a delicate ‘sign’ of opposition to rise in gas costs. His publicist clarified that the star did so in view of automobile parking issues within the small avenue the place the polling sales space was situated. Dressed in a lightweight blue shirt and denims, he made his manner via a sea of followers who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favorite star. Vijay’s bicycle trip induced a frenzy amongst followers, who allegedly have been lathicharged by police.
Celebrities like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan have been among the many early voters. After visiting a ballot sales space in Coimbatore, Haasan alleged cash distribiution was occurring outdoors and that tokens have been additionally being given to be redeemed for articles later and hinted that he could file a criticism on the matter.
Meanwhile, Tamil actor Ajith, who went to a polling sales space in Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai together with his spouse, made information after a viral video confirmed him snatching a fan’s cellphone for clicking selfies with the actor with out his consent. He additionally requested his mask-less fan and others to go away.
Kerala
Amid huge turnout of voters on Tuesday with 71.31 per cent electors casting their franchise until 6 pm, Kerala reported minor incidents of violence in few locations. Tempers ran excessive at Kattayikonam in Kazhakootam constituency, a stronghold of the Marxist celebration in Thiruvananthapuram district, as CPI(M) and BJP staff clashed. Four BJP staff have been injured and their automobile was broken.
Two voters, together with a lady, standing within the queue in Aranmula in Pathnamthitta and Chavittuavary in Kottayam collapsed and died.
Meanwhile, in an attention-grabbing incident, a polling officer at Thalavady in Kuttanad’s Alappuzha district failed to show up for ballot obligation on Monday night following which one other official needed to be deployed. Police mentioned they’d obtained a person lacking case and on investigation it was discovered that the official was at his residence itself and had reportedly ‘overslept’.
On the polling day additionally, sparks flew over the Sabarimala situation with the LDF and UDF locking horns. Vijayan mentioned the devotees of Lord Ayyappa and all different gods can be with the LDF, whereas Congress chief, Ramesh Chennithala, opined that bhaktas won’t forgive the Left Front, which can face Ayyappa’s wrath. Kerala had witnessed violent protests by activists of BJP and proper wing outfits after the LDF authorities determined to implement the 2018 Supreme court docket verdict permitting girls of all age teams to supply prayers on the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala, the place historically girls within the menstrual age group of 10-50 are banned from worshipping. Besides Vijayan, 11 of his cupboard colleagues are among the many 957 candidates within the ballot enviornment.
Assam
The third and final part of the state election in Assam in 40 constituencies unfold throughout 12 districts on Tuesday was largely peaceable regardless of sporadic incidents of violence and disturbances in some areas. The state displayed a festive temper as the primary voters on the polling centres have been greeted with saplings and the senior residents with ‘gamosas’ (conventional Assamese scarf). In a celebration of the competition of democracy many mannequin polling stations have been adorned with recyclable objects, artwork installations made with bottles and plastic wrappers. Many others had youngsters’s play zone, seating lounge and selfie zones. Many of them additionally had seating areas in rainbow shades, themed on inclusivity and LGBTQ rights.
Some of the voting facilities are adorned to signify the cultural range of the state. Ethnic cloth and handicraft objects are on show and mannequins draped in tribal attires have been positioned within the selfie zones. The Assamese competition of Bihu, which is simply 10 days away, was a preferred theme in a number of polling cubicles. Arched gates and seating areas with vibrant chairs are imparting the polling facilities a festive look. At a polling station at Goalpara, girls polling personnel wore equivalent mekhela and chador — an Assamese conventional apparel. The polling, which started at 7 am, will proceed until 6 pm.
Puducherry
Puducherry witnessed brisk polling as an estimated 66.36 per cent of the ten.04 lakh voters within the Union Territory exercised their franchise until 3 PM on Tuesday. Official sources mentioned that 66.36 per cent of the voters exercised their franchise in Puducherry whereas the Karaikal area recorded 64.86 per cent, Mahe 56.53 per cent and Yanam area 71.60 per cent. Yanam, the place the AINRC chief N Rangasamy is contesting, registered the next proportion of polling than the opposite three areas from the start.
Rangasamy is searching for election to the territorial Assembly from Thattanchavady phase in Puducherry area additionally. The contest is eager between the AINRC-led NDA and the Congress-led Secular Democratic alliance. Former Chief Minister and senior Congress chief V Narayanasamy, nevertheless, bowed out of the ballot contest on the bottom that he needed to coordinate ballot associated work within the union territory.
