Chennai: Voter turnout was visibly less in the North Chennai Lok Sabha constituency which also has Perambur, the only Assembly constituency facing by-election in the city. NT’s ground survey on the candidates of choice among voters revealed that established political parties enjoyed the people’s support once again.
But there was support for new parties too. NT spoke to a transgender voter, Gayathri, who exercised her franchise in Vyasarpadi and wished more transgender people contested in polls. “In South Chennai, M Radha is contesting the polls, representing our community. I wish it were so in other constituencies as well. Though transgender rights is more in Tamilnadu compared to the rest of the country, there is still much to be desired,” she said.
In Perambur, which is also seeing the Assembly by-poll, the people had an initial confusion as to whether they would have to get their fingers inked twice – once for casting for Lok Sabha and a second time for casting votes for their Assembly candidate. But, the doubts were dismissed as the fingers were inked only once for casting both votes. 
A few minutes of tension prevailed at polling booths in Vyasarpadi where electricity supply was cut two three times in the morning. But officials clarified that the EVMs were operating in battery and polling would not be affected. Voters in Vyasarpadi also expressed happiness over the VVPAT machines, that were introduced in the area for the first time this election. “Now we are sure that our votes are going for the candidates we choose,” they said.