Big voter turnout in Puthupally by-poll in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Moderate to heavy polling was observed in the Puthupally assembly by-poll in Kottayam district of Kerala on Tuesday.

The by-poll was held following the death of veteran congress leader and former chief minister Oommen Chandy, who had represented the constituency for 53 years without a break.

The Congress-led UDF has fielded Oommen Chandy's son and Youth Congress leader, Chandy Oommen, while the ruling CPM-led LDF is banking on its youth leader, Jaick C Thomas. The BJP is also attempting to improve its position through its candidate, Lijin Lal.

According to officials, 73.05% of polling was recorded in the constituency until 6 p.m., with all eight panchayats recording over 70%. The final tally is likely to rise further as voters in the queue will be permitted to vote even after the conclusion of the official timing.

The poll percentage in the 2021 assembly polls was 74.84 per cent. Representatives of rival fronts claimed that the poll percentage would cross the 75 per cent mark this time.

Counting of votes will take place on September 8 at the auditorium of Baselios College Kottayam, where 20 tables have been arranged for the counting process.

While the Congress-led UDF leadership claimed that the heavy polling would favour its candidate, the LDF leaders believe that people have voted for the constituency's development. The BJP expects to improve its vote share significantly this time.

 Jaick C Thomas, contesting for the third time in the constituency, had brought down Oommen Chandy's victory margin from 27,092 in 2016 to 9,044 in the 2021 polls.