Injury on left index finger turns hindrance; Thrissur native denied right to vote despite submitting medical reports

THRISSUR: A woman alleged that she was denied voting rights by the presiding officer in Thrissur. The incident took place at the polling booth at Bodanandha School in Koorkenchery, Thrissur. Akshara, a native of Koorkenchery, has been waiting since 1 pm to vote, but to no avail. She reached the booth with her toddler but was denied permission by the officer.

Akshara injured her left index finger after it got caught in a mixer. The wound, which occurred on the 6th, had about 15 stitches. Akshara says that the presiding officer asked her not to vote unless she untied her finger and showed the wound marks. Akshara said that the other officers in the booth suggested that she could vote by applying ink to her right finger, but the presiding officer did not allow it.

The girl said that the presiding officer continued to be strict even after she presented medical reports. Despite the intervention of the Collector and others, the Presiding Officer is maintaining the stance not to allow the woman to vote.

Protests are taking place outside the booth demanding the suspension of the officer.