Kochi,  A presiding officer in one of the polling booths in Thrikkakara, where voting is underway for the bypoll, was sent for a medical examination on suspicion of being "drunk".

Government official P.Varghese attached to a polling booth at the St Joseph school, near here, was found behaving strangely and entering into arguments with a person.

After doubts were raised about him being "inebriated", a complaint was registered with the Ernakulam district collector overseeing the bypoll.

He ordered that Varghese be taken for a medical examination and replacd him with a new presiding officer.