Overview
- A young mother in Thrissur was first stopped from voting Thursday because her left index finger was bandaged after an injury.
- She arrived at the Kurkancheri booth around 1:30 pm and said the presiding officer told her to remove the bandage despite her stitches and medical papers.
- CPI leader V S Sunil Kumar said the Returning Officer told staff to let her vote, yet the presiding officer demanded a written order and would not engage with senior officials.
- Hours later, around 6 pm, she cast her ballot and showed an ink mark, telling reporters she waited without food rather than leave without voting.
- Officials later cited the rule that ink can be applied to any finger if a voter has not yet voted, highlighting how on-the-spot confusion can disrupt access even during statewide polling for 140 Assembly seats.