High voter turnout in Kerala (updated)
Thiruvananthapuram: The voter turnout in Kerala has crossed 77 per cent as the polling came to a close on Monday.
According to final figures provided by the State Electoral Office, the overall polling percentage is 77.35 per cent. In 2011, the polling percentage released following the polling was 75.12 (These do not take the postal votes into account.)
Voter turnout was especially high in North and Central Kerala with Kannur and Kozhikode recording polling percentages higher than 80.The lowest polling percentage were in Pathanamthitta district (71.66%) and Thiruvananthapuram district (72.53%).
The polling was by and large peaceful. However, sporadic incidents of violence were reported from Idukki and Kannur districts. The CPI (M) and BDJS workers clashed near Nedumkandam in Idukki district.
The polling was marked by special facilities provided for differently abled including blind in selected polling booths. Paper trail of votes cast was tried on an experimental basis in selected constituencies. Malfunctioning of electronic voting machines disrupted polling briefly in several polling booths (in Alappuzha and Idukki districts).
Rain affected polling in several places. At several places, the voters queued up in the morning itself fearing rain in the afternoon. However, in some places in Idukki, it rained in the morning itself.
Both the LDF and UDF claimed victory after the polls. However, exit polls predicted a swing in favour of the LDF. The BJP claimed that they were sure to vote open account this time. The counting of votes will take place on May 19.
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