KOTTAYAM: While the low turnout is keeping the leaders awake, counting of votes for the Puthuppally by-election will begin tomorrow at 8 am at Kottayam's Baselios College Auditorium. The result will be declared before noon. Counting of votes in 182 booths will be done in 13 rounds in 14 tables. 2491 persons who are above 80 years of age and differently abled have registered their vote at home. These votes will be counted in five tables.

UDF had estimated that the sentimentality of Oommen Chandy's funeral procession would help cross 80 percent polling in the by-elections as a sympathy wave. The final figure of the Election Commission is 72.86 percent. A decrease of 2570 votes compared to the previous election. KPCC president K Sudhakaran had come in support when UDF candidate Chandy Oommen raised the allegation that the polling was deliberately reduced with the connivance of officials. Polling was completed on time in 179 out of 182 booths. The delay occurred in the booths where the number of voters was high. Collector Vigneswari informed that the complaint in this regard will be examined.

Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan MLA said that the slight drop in polling percentage will not affect the majority. He said that the UDF is sure of a majority of over 20,000. Minister VN Vasavan said that because of the high turnout in the power centres of the Left Front, Jaick is expected to win with a good margin. CPM State Secretary MV Govindan responded that Jaick will lose only if BJP votes go to the UDF side. KPCC President K Sudhakaran's reply was that this is a pre-bailout when they were certain about losing.

Survey says that Chandi Oommen will win

According to Axis My India survey results UDF candidate Chandy Oommen will win in Puthuppally with 53 percent votes. LDF candidate Jaick C. Thomas will get 39 percent votes and NDA candidate Lijin Lal will get five percent of votes. Others are predicted to get 3 percent of the vote. UDF will get 14 percent more votes than LDF.

1,31,026 votes were polled. UDF is expected to get 69,443, LDF 51,100 and NDA 6551 votes. According to the exit poll, Chandy Oommen can get a majority of more than 18,000.