LS polls: Kerala top scorer at 76%, Kasargod sees 78% turnout

The high turnout — 3% more that what was recorded in 2009 — was in line with Kerala's tradition. The state has 2.42 crore voters.

Almost all 20 constituencies witnessed brisk polling. Serpentine queues were visible as the polling drew close in the evening.

Muslim-dominated areas in Malabar (north Kerala) saw an unprecedented turnout.

Both the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the CPI(M)-controlled Left Democratic Front (LDF) claimed that the high turnout would help them. In the 2009 polls, the UDF had won 16 and the LDF four.

In southern Kerala, polling was affected in some booths following a heavy downpour that resulted in power disruption.

The Kasaragod Lok Sabha constituency registered a polling percentage of 78 in the largely peaceful process on Thursday.

There were a total of 12,40,450 eligible voters in the district. The Kasaragod segment, which witnessed a fierce tri-cornered contest, saw an increase in voter turnout from the 2009 polls which was 76.15 per cent.

While Payannur Assembly segment registered the highest voter turnout (84.2 per cent), Manjeswaram recorded the lowest at 71.1 per cent.

The voter turnout in Kasaragod was 72.4 per cent mark, Uduma 76.9; Kanhangad 80.3; Kalliassery (82.03); and Thrikkarippur 82.50 per cent, as per information provided by the election office at 7 p.m.

Ayisha Bee, 72, wife of Muhammed Kunhi, of Kushal Nagar in Kanhangad, died after she collapsed while standing in a queue at booth 106 at Nityananda Polytechnic Institute. She was rushed to a hospital but was declared brought dead. '

There was a minor scuffle between polling agents of rival parties at ward 62 at Payaradukam in Uduma. The timely intervention of officials restored normality, sources said.

The voting process in 791 polling booths in five Assembly segments in the district and 302 in Kalliassery and Payyanur in Kannur began at 7 a.m. Long queues could be seen in the morning as people wanted to avoid the scorching summer heat.

CPI(M) candidate P. Karunakaran cast his vote at N.K. Balakrishnan Memorial AUP School at Neeleswaram.

UDF candidate T. Siddique left for Kozhikode in the wee hours by train and cast his vote at booth 86 at JDT Islamic Higher Secondary School at Vellimadukunnu. K. Surendran, BJP candidate, cast his vote at booth 107 at Nellikkunu Government Girls High School here.