The single-phase election to the Kerala Assembly began at 7 am today amidst strict security. Kerala recorded nearly 22.5% voting in the first three hours across 140 constituencies and maximum turnout was recorded in Palakkad (22.01%)and Thrissur (24.04%).
A long queue was seen in almost all the polling booths across the districts. The polling began at sharp 7 am adhering to Covid-19 protocols. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala and other prominent leaders including senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy, CPM leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan were among others who cast their votes early morning itself.
While interacting with media persons after casting the vote Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his confidence that the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF would come back to power. He said, "I have faith in the people who support the Left" and added that the party would gather more seats when compared to that in the 2016 Assembly polls.
Among other ministers, E Chandrashekaran, EP Jayarajan, Mercykutty Amma, AK Saseendran, MP Hibi Eden, RMP candidate KK Rema, metro man E Sreedharan, NDA candidate Krishnakumar were among the others who cast their voting in the early hours.
According to reports, malfunctioning of voting machines was also reported from some of the polling booths. Later, the issues were resolved and polling is underway.
Meanwhile, a 65-year-old man collapsed and died during voting at Vallamkullam in Arnamula. The deceased was identified as Gopinath Kurup.
