T’puram: Polling in the coastal belt of the capital district witnessed a brisk and steady turnout on Thursday, with voters turning up in large numbers from the early hours of the day. From Kanjiramkulam to Vizhinjam and Poonthura, long queues were visible outside polling booths soon after voting began.At key polling stations such as St Philomena GHSS, Poonthura, harbour engineering department office in Vizhinjam, St Mary’s GHSS, Kottapuram and GHS Beemapally, voters waited patiently despite the rising temperatures. Women and elderly voters formed a significant portion of the early crowd. Election officials ensured basic facilities, including drinking water and shaded waiting areas, to make the process smoother. “I came early because I didn’t want to miss my vote,” said Sheeja Beegum of Vizhinjam. “No matter how busy we are or how hot it gets, voting is our responsibility. We want a better future for our children, and this is how we can contribute,” she said. Many fishermen, who returned from overnight fishing trips, chose to rest during the morning hours and headed to polling stations later in the afternoon. “We came after getting some rest,” said Francilas, a fisherman from Poonthura. “Fishing at night is tiring, but voting is important. We cannot ignore it. This election matters to our livelihoods and our coast,” he said.Despite several polling booths in coastal areas being categorized as sensitive, the day passed off peacefully, with no untoward incidents reported. Security arrangements were tight, and presence of police personnel helped maintain order among voters. Bogus votingHowever, officials confirmed one instance of bogus voting at a booth. A woman voter was left shocked after arriving at a polling booth and learning that her vote had already been cast by someone else. The woman produced her voter ID card and argued with the officials for some time, insisting that she had not voted. Although the authorities asked her to cast a tender vote, she refused to do so and eventually left the booth. The incident occurred at the booth set up at Govt LPS, Kidarakkudi, in Kovalam constituency. Elderly woman collapsesAn elderly woman collapsed after casting her vote. The incident occurred when she was leaving the polling booth after voting along with her husband. The woman, identified as Sindhu (Mercy, 62), arrived at the booth at Bethlehem School, Azhakulam, with her husband, Sathikumar, around noon. She collapsed near the booth premises soon after coming out. She was immediately rushed to the MCH. It is reported that she had a pre-existing heart condition.
