Voters in Devarayaneri Narikurava Colony near Thuvakudi abstained from voting on Thursday, alleging that a few persons in their community had cornered the money given by some political parties.
A section of voters relented later in the day after officials of Revenue and Police departments intervened.
The officials had a tough time in handling the issue since the protesters themselves were not certain about the identity of those who received the money from political parties.
“The onus is on the police to find out who cheated us of our due share of the cash. We will vote only if the money is recovered and distributed to us. Else, the money should be returned to the parties that gave it,” Abirami, a middle-aged woman said.
Around 100 men and women were seen criticising some members of their community who chose to exercise their franchise unmindful of the cash dole. “I choose to vote to exercise my democratic right. Making a heavy weather of the pittance of the money that political parties dole out at the time of elections makes no sense,” Nirmala Ravi, a gypsy woman in her thirties, said while standing in the queue.
Out of 835 registered voters in the booth at Devarayaneri, only 26 cast their votes till mid-day until Revenue and Police officials arrived to deal with the issue. The number increased to 378 by 5 p.m.
Assuring stringent action, the police advised the protesting voters to submit a petition with names of persons who received money from political parties on their behalf.
Some voters abstained even after the intervention by the officials.