78.52% turnout in the final phase of local body elections

The northern districts of Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode and Malappuram recorded almost 80% polling in the final phase of the local body elections in the State.

Of the 4 districts, Malappuram recorded 78.81%, Kozhikode 78.74%, Kannur 78.33% and Kasaragod 77.02% turnout. The voter turnout in Kozhikode and Kannur Corporations stood at 70.1% and 71.1.% respectively.

Barring city areas, together with Kozhikode and Kannur Corporations, polling was heavy in most components of the 4 districts. Many areas of the area which witnessed fierce triangular contests involving the United Democratic Front (UDF), Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance had seen brisk polling since the early hours of the polling.

Police deployment

The polling was largely peaceable as no main incidents have been reported from the area. As many as 20,603 police personnel have been deployed in the 4 districts in view of the historical past of election-time stress in the area, particularly, Kannur.

A light conflict broke out between the police and the UDF staff following an argument over sustaining bodily distancing at Theruvanparamba in Nadapuram. Police fired tear fuel shells to disperse IUML staff. A police car was broken. Six bombs have been seized from Muzhakkunnu in Kannur.

Prominent figures

Among the distinguished political leaders who forged their votes in their wards included Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan in Kannur; Revenue Minister E. Chandrashekharan in Kasaragod; Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan and Indian Union Muslim League leaders Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal and P.K. Kunhalikutty in Malappuram; and KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran and BJP State president K. Surendran in Kozhikode.

A voter recognized as Baby, 68, spouse of Nambiar Veettil Nanu, died whereas she was returning house after casting her vote at Beypore LP. School in the morning.