Almost 80% voter turnout in Kerala, Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala and Tamil Nadu recorded almost 80% polling in the assembly elections held on Wednesday, where for the first time, non-resident Indians too voted. The Union territory of Puducherry saw 85.21% turnout. The polling was peaceful.

With 404 seats, this was a crucial phase for assembly election 2011, the largest electoral exercise since the 2009 LS polls, which has seen polls in Assam and include West Bengal, where the six-phased exercise begins on Monday.

The high turnout in Kerala boosted the morale of LDF as well as the UDF competing in a state that has never returned a government to power. An upbeat Congress unit chief Ramesh Chennithala said the UDF would win 100 of the 140 seats. Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan was equally confident that the LDF would get a renewed mandate.

In the complex political landscape of Tamil politics, both parties claimed they would emerge victorious in the 234-member house. Former chief minister Jayalalithaa predicted a landslide win for her alliance, which includes the Communists, and a near clear majority for her party.

Karunanidhi, seeking election to the assembly for a record 12th time and as chief minister for the sixth time, added equally definitively: " DMK's chances are as bright as the 'rising sun' (the party's election symbol). It will be a DMK-led government. It could be a single party government or a coalition," Karunanidhi said.

The choice in Puducherry was between incumbent Congress CM V Vaithilingam and former Congress chief minister N Rangasamy, who now heads the All India NR Congress. In Puducherry's Mahe district, 29 NRIs voted.