MADURAI: Tension was palpable throughout Ambalakaranpatti in Melur Panch-ayat Union as a presiding officer reportedly took a ballot paper out of the booth to help a differently-abled elderly man on Monday.Mazhuvendhi of Thevanperumalpatti, came to booth number 173/AV to cast his vote. As he was differently-abled, he found it difficult to enter the booth. After consulting the booth agents of all candidates, including three candidates for president’s post Sevugan, Selvam and Ragu, a presiding officer took a ballot paper to his car so that he could vote, said K Palanichamy, a zonal officer.A few minutes later, a group, who were supporters of Selvam and Ragu, demanded that the polling be stopped and said they planned a road blockade.Immediately, the returning officers Lakshmi and Nagarathinam rushed to the spot to talk to the people. Following this, Madurai District SP Asra Garg came to solve the problem. A large posse of police personnel was also deployed in the village. The officers were firm and did not relent even though the group repeatedly demanded that the polling be stopped. Eventually, the group dispersed. But the election process was stalled for about an hour and a half. Soon after the incident, polling percentage also dropped until booths closed at 5.00 pm. Ambalakaranpatti is a village in Melur union with five hamlets including Naith-anpatty , Kattakalaipatti, Okkapatti, Vallavan Colony and Thevanperumalpatti.
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