86.3% polling in Piravom

PIRAVOM: A heavy turnout of 86.3% has been reported in the Piravom by-poll in Ernakulam, where the UDF and the LDF are fighting a neck and neck race. The poll percentage is sure to go high.


In the last elections, 79.12 polling was recorded. A long queue of voters was witnessed in all booths when the polling started at 7 am.


UDF candidate Anoop Jacob casted his vote as the first voter at booth Number 107 in Mannathur Govt High School of the Thirumaradi panchayat. LDF candidate M J Jacob exercised his franchise at booth Number 108 at Manimalakkunnu Govt College of Thirumaradi panchayat. He was able to cast his vote only after standing in the queue for an hour.


Talking to reporters after casting his vote, Anoop expressed confidence and said victory is sure. M J Jacob too said the LDF will win with thumping majority. There are 1,83,170 voters in Piravom. The votes will be counted on March 21.


Government has declared a public holiday for all government, quasi-government and educational institutions in the constituency in view of the polling.


Both LDF and UDF had launched a spirited campaign to woo the voters. The by poll was necessitated following the death of former minister, T M Jacob, father of Anoop Jacob.