Senior citizens, women with babies in arms and pregnant women, were among the over 3,000 who waited for over eight hours under the scalding sun.

Sushila Krishnan (68) and Krishnan (74), were spotted in one of the two queues at 1.30 pm. They had been waiting since 8.30 am. After getting the ‘part number’ for their card and standing in the queue, they were asked to line up again for getting themselves photographed.

 “At this age, we’re standing here without having anything to eat or drink for hours,” says Sushila. “I am stubborn. I won’t cast my vote to protest against this horrible experience.”

Krishnan says,  “There is no one to give any guidance. I’m sure people carrying out this exercise are doing it for the first time.”

S M Shethy, compliance manager at a private concern, was furious. “First, I readied everything for the drop box, which is off now. My family, including my children who are taking their  exams today, waited with me for their cards. They have given up and gone. I have taken leave from work today,” he said.

There were scuffles between the public and the police. Fraser Town SI Ajay Sarathy came in for flak from an elderly woman who called him “a man without conscience”.

He had agreed to allow her to jump the queue to enter the photo room due to her age. She then wanted her grandson to join her, to which he refused.

“If I let him in, then the public will not spare me,” he said.

Short of officials?

Only two people were taking photos and two officials collecting forms, he said.
Revenue and  election officials were neither available at the spot nor did they answer calls. A top election official said a training programme was being held for polling officials and hence they weren’t at the spot.