Baby after democratic duty, woman delivers at Tiruvannamalai poll booth

Sources said that Neelavathi (32), wife of Raghu of Perunduraipattu was pregnant with her fourth child. The couple had two girls and a boy.

Neelavathi, who was expecting delivery any time, came to exercise her franchise in a booth at a panchayat union elementary school near Vanapuram around 11 am on Thursday. The woman suddenly started feeling acute discomfort when she stepped into the polling booth.

Officials and other voters present in the booth advised her to go to a hospital for delivery. But, Neelavathi, who was firm in completing her democratic duty, told them that casting vote was her first option.

Her turn came and she cast the vote. As soon as she came out of the polling station, the woman developed labour pain. Within a few minutes, she delivered a healthy baby boy at the booth with the assistance of a group of women.

On information from election officials a 108 ambulance reached the booth and the emergency medical team examined the mother and the baby found both in good condition. Later, both were shifted to Tiruvannamalai Government Medical College Hospital.