Kerala: Brisk polling in the state, Chandy confident of winning (Pics)

Idukki, April 10: Brisk polling was reported in Kerala, a state which has the reputation for high voter turnout in the past elections, on Thursday morning.

An average 16% turnout was recorded in the first two hours of polling in 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in the south Indian state.

According to Election Commission, 6.9% voter turn out was recorded in the first hour itself.

Contestants and leaders of various political parties were among the early voters in different constituencies, especially in the state capital.

Defence Minister A K Antony cast his vote in a booth in Thiruvananthapuram. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and his family members voted in their home segment in Pudupally in Kottayam district.

A total of 21,424 polling stations had been arranged for 2.42 crore electorate in the state.

Though 269 candidates are in the fray, the main fight, as in the past, is between the Congress-led UDF, now in power, and the opposition CPI(M)-led LDF.

The BJP has turned the electoral battle into a three-horse race in the state capital in down south and the northernmost Kasargode.

Oommen Chandy confident

"There is very heavy polling at all seats. The UDF (United Democratic Front) is quite confident about outcome of this election. We will win it with full support of people of Kerala," Chandy told reporters.

"They want a strong government in center to uphold the secular principals of India and they have confidence in our state government," he added.

Idukki constituency

Brisk polling was reported in Kerala on Thursday morning

Idukki constituency

Long queues of voters were seen at polling stations early in the morning

Idukki constituency

Kerala has the reputation for high voter turnout in past elections

Idukki constituency

Oommen Chandy said he's confident about winning the election

PTI/IANS