Update
Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (EP)
Kasargod, Oct 24: UDF has retained the Manjeshwar legislative constituency by winning the seat over strong BJP rival. UDF candidate Khamaruddin won by 7,923 votes.
In 2016, UDF candidate had won by a slender margin of 89 votes. This time around the winning margin is increased considerably. UDF candidate M C Khamaruddin defeated his nearest rival Kuntau Ravish Tantry of BJP. M Shankar Rai, who contested on LDF ticket had to be satisfied with the third spot.
M C Kamaruddin secured 65,407 votes, NDA's candidate Raveesh Thantri Kuntar bagged 57,484, and LDF's M Shankar Rai Master secured 38,233 votes.
UDF members started celebration at Uppala, Kumble, Manjeshwar, and Seethangoli town, said sources.
The counting of votes took place at the government school of Paivalike on the morning of Thursday, October 24. Khamaruddin took lead right from the beginning. Though in the next few rounds, he was behind the BJP candidate, in some further rounds, he regained the lead and ultimately won the battle.
The counting of vote took place in 17 rounds. This bye-election was held due to the death of former UDF MLA P B Abdul Razak.
Earlier report
Counting is being undertaken in 17 rounds and results would be announced by Thursday, October 24. Votes in five electronic voting machines have been taken up to start with along with VVPAT slips. 75.78 percent polling was recorded in the constituency, where polling took place on October 21.
Ravish Tantry, Khamaruddin and Shankar Rai
Seven candidates are in the election fray altogether and their future would be decided by today afternoon. The by election here, where triangular contest has been witnessed, has drawn state-wide attention because of the fact that all the three parties have expressed confidence of winning the by-poll here.
The votes will be counted simultaneously in twelve tables. Votes in five EVMs and VVPAT slips are counted at the beginning. The EVMs will be selected by lots followed by counting from first booth to the 198th booth. Data will be entered after each round with the approval of election officer. People will be able to know the results on website www.results.ect.gov.in.
Seven candidates including UDF’s M C Khamaruddin, BJP’s Ravish Tantry Kuntaru, LDF’s M Shankar Rai, Ambedkar Right party of India (APA)’s Govindan B, and independents Khamaruddin M C, John D’ Souza I and Rajesh B are in the fray.
Tight police security has been arranged in Manjeshwar constituency limits apart from the counting center at Paivalike. Besides local police, para military forces have been deployed. Precautionary measures have been in place at Manjeshwar, Kumble, Badiadka, Kasargod and Vidyanagar police station limits.
Only the party that wins this bypoll has been permitted to celebrate. Celebrations can be organized only in places permitted by police in advance. Celebrations are not permitted after 6 pm. “Legal action will be taken in case of processions or celebrations in open vehicles,” warned DSP James Joseph. “Bike rally has been banned. Procession should not hinder traffic,” he stated.