Kerala records 43.88% polling till 1 pm

KOCHI: All districts except Thiruvananthapuram recorded polling above 40 per cent in the first six hours of assembly election in Kerala.

Polling booths witnessed beeline of voters, braving summer showers that hit most parts of the state. As per state election commission website, the state recorded 43.88 per cent polling till 1 pm.

Kannur district recorded 47.61 per cent polling, the highest in the state. The capital city Thiruvananthapuram recorded lowest polling rate of 36.14 per cent.

The first six hours of polling was peaceful across the state. In Kannur district, the police took an LDF worker into custody on charge of polling malpractice.

A clash between LDF workers and paramilitary personnel was also reported at Cheruthazham in Kannur.

Parts of Ernakualam, Kottayam, Idukki and Thiruvananthapuram districts witnessed moderate rain in the first three hours which resulted in low inflow of voters to polling stations.

As per data released by the election commission, 2,60,19,284 electors are enrolled in the voters list. There are 21,498 booths and 148 auxiliary polling stations in 140 assembly constituencies in the state.

Over 1,11,897 polling officials, 51 general observers, 52,000 policemen and central forces have been deployed in all constituencies.