Thrissur Voter Faces 6-Hour Ordeal Over Bandaged Finger, Allowed Only After CEO Intervention
In a distressing incident at Koorkenchery, Thrissur, a woman named Akshaya was denied her fundamental right to vote for nearly six hours because her left index finger was bandaged. The episode unfolded at the Koorkenchery Bodhananda School polling station, where Akshaya arrived with her father and two-year-old child, only to face an unwavering refusal from the presiding officer.
Presiding Officer's Stance: Rules Over Reason
The presiding officer asserted that it was her discretion to permit voting and insisted that voter ink must be applied solely on the left index finger. She demanded that Akshaya remove the bandage to prove she hadn't voted elsewhere and that no ink was present. "I have taken this decision as per the rules, and it can only be changed with written instructions from higher authorities," the officer stated, dismissing initial interventions from top election commission officials.
Akshaya explained that the bandage resulted from surgery after a mixer grinder injury at home. She even produced medical records, fetched by her father, and received endorsement from the medical officer at the polling station. Yet, the presiding officer remained adamant, escalating tensions.
Political Protest and Official Involvement
LDF workers, led by former minister V S Sunil Kumar, staged a protest at the booth, vowing not to disperse until Akshaya was allowed to vote. They called for strict action against the officer for denying a genuine voter's franchise. The situation drew the attention of ADM R Manoj, who visited as per Collector Sikha Surendran's instructions to assess the matter.
Resolution After CEO Directive
Finally, after a prolonged wait, the presiding officer permitted Akshaya to vote following directions from the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office. The instruction clarified, "The voter may be allowed to vote, subject to the presiding officer verifying that the person is a registered eligible voter." Akshaya submitted a written declaration confirming she hadn't voted elsewhere, as required.
Throughout this ordeal, Akshaya's father and child endured over five hours without food, highlighting the personal toll of the bureaucratic impasse. This incident underscores critical issues in election procedures and voter rights enforcement in India.
