70 per cent voting in second phase Assembly poll in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 29 (UNI) An estimated 69 to 70 per cent of the 10.68 million electorate exercised their franchise today in the second phase of Assembly elections in Kerala covering 66 constituencies spread over six central and northern districts of the state.

Preliminary reports received at the Election Commission office here said Malappuram district registered the highest 70.71 per cent, followed by Ernakulam with 69.79, Wayanad 69.57, Palakkad 69.45, Thrissur 68, and Kozhikode 66.25 per cent.

Barring minor incidents, polling was by and large peaceful, official sources said.

Police resorted to a mild lathicharge to disperse clashing supporters of rival political fronts at Kuttippuram (Malappursm district) where a person was also arrested for bogus voting.

In another incident one person was injured in a cracker blast at Nadapuram in Kozhikode district.

In the first phase of the elections held on April 22 last in 59 constituencies, the polling was 68.78 per cent. The third and final leg of the elections in 15 seats in Kannur and Kasaragod districts for the 140-member Assembly will be held on May three.

The counting of votes will be held on May 11.

Stalwarts like Leader of the Opposition V S Achuthanandan (Malampuzha), Democratic Indira Congress(Karunakaran) president K Muraleedharan (Koduvally), Indian Union Muslim League general secretary P K Kunhalikutty (Kuttipuram) and BJP leader and former Union Minister O Rajagopal were the prominent candidates who sought votes in the second phase.

Nine Ministers in the Oommen Chandy Cabinet - M K Muneer (Mankada), E T Mohammed Basheer (Tirur), Dominic Presentation (Palluruthy), V K Ibrahim Kunju (Mattancherry), Kutty Ahamed Kutty (Tirurangadi), Aryadan Mohammed (Nilambur), A Sujanapal (Kozhikode-I) and P Anilkumar (Vandoor) were also in the fray.

UNI CGV PMM2115