76.2 per cent polling in LSG polls in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More than 76 per cent of the electorate has voted in the first phase of the polling in the elections to the local bodies in Kerala.

Sporadic incidents of violence marred the election in Kannur, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Kasargod districts. A number of incidents were reported from Kannur and a polling booth agent reportedly lost his eye sight in a clash near Payyannur.

The polling percentage was the highest in Wayand district where 81.58 per cent of the voters had exercised their franchise. The lowest was in Thiruvananthapuram district (69%) where rain marred polling. (Polling percentages were lower in Thiruvananthapuram in the past also.). As per figures of the State Election Commission, the overall polling percentage for the first phase is 76.2 per cent. The State average for two phases in 2010 was 76.32%.

The polling started at a sluggish pace in the morning, but picked up later in the day. Voting machines malfunctioned at several places and they had to be replaced. This was the first time that electronic voting machines were used in the elections of local self governments.

A polling agent and a voter collapsed at the booth and died in Kasaragod and Kollam respectively during polling.

The polling in the first phase was to elect 9220 representatives from seven districts-- Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod. As many as 31161 candidates are in the fray.

Strong security was in place, especially in Kannur, with the State police having deployed 38000 personnel. It was the first election to the newly formed city corporation in Kannur and four new municipalities in the district.