Kerala records voter turnout of 71% in polls to 2016 assembly election

KOCHI: Kerala has recorded a high voter turnout of 71% as the polling to the assembly election 2016 ended on Monday evening. As compared to this, the voter turnout stood at 75.27 % in the assembly election of 2011.

Polling got off to a slow start in the morning due to widespread rains in many districts in the state. However, voters turned out in large numbers as the day progressed with the percentage touching 43 by noon. By evening, the voting had crossed 70% in 10 districts of the state. The highest polling of 75.5% was recorded in Kozikkode and Kannur in North Kerala.

The estimate of voters who cast their votes in Wayand stood at 73 %. The lowest voter turnout of 65% was in Pathanamthitta district. Polling was relatively peaceful in the state barring one or two instances of minor skirmishes between LDF and UDF workers.

Kerala Governor Justice P Sathasivam and his wife Saraswathy Sathasvam cast their votes at Vattiyoorkavu, Thiruvananthapuram. This is the first time that a Kerala Governor is casting his vote in the state.

The state electoral roll set a record of sorts when two voters belonging to the ‘third gender’ cast their votes this time. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the voters would give the United Democratic Front (UDF) one more chance to rule. However, the Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan said that the state is witnessing a ‘wave’ in favour of Left Democratic Front (LDF).

BJP state president Kummanam Rajashekharan said that the state’s politics is at a turning point.