Over 70 % voter turnout in first phase of Kerala local body polls

A record voter turnout of over 70 per cent was recorded in the first phase of polling of the local body elections held on Tuesday in seven districts of Kerala.

As per the figures till 6 pm, Ernakulam district recorded the highest voter turnout (73.36 per cent). Alappuzha recorded 72.74 per cent and Idukki 70.26 per cent. Thiruvananthapuram- 65.93 per cent, Kollam- 69.32 per cent, Pathanamthitta- 65.91 per cent and Kottayam- 69.77 per cent voter turnouts.

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A total of 11,167 wards spread across 595 local bodies went to the polls on Tuesday. This includes 8,310 wards in 471 grama panchayats, 1,090 wards in 75 block panchayats, 164 divisions in seven district panchayats, 1,317 wards in 39 municipalities and 232 wards in three corporations.

Governor Rajendra Arlekar cast his vote at Jawahar Nagar LP School in Thiruvananthapuram, Union Minister Suresh Gopi MP and his family cast their votes at Sasthamangalam School in the state capital. CPM general secretary MA Baby cast his vote at a booth at Sanskrit College, Thiruvananthapuram. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and Congress leader AK Antony were among those who cast their votes in the booths in Thiruvananthapuram. Health Minister Veena George, her mother, and her sister cast their votes at Kumbazha MDLP School in Pathanamthitta.

Meanwhile, campaigning for the second phase of the local body polls in the state concluded at 6 pm on Tuesday. Announcements, processions, and demonstrations related to the electioneering ended this evening. There will be a silent campaign on Wednesday. After a day of noiseless vote-seeking, people will reach the polling booths on Thursday to cast their votes.