The first phase of elections to the local bodies in Kerala has recorded a heavy turnout of 76 per cent at the stroke of 5 pm when polling ended as per schedule. Long queues of voters were seen at many centres at the time of closure.

Barring some sporadic incidents, the polling was by and large peaceful.

Seven out of the 14 districts went to the polls today. The polling percentages at 5 pm were: Thiruvananthapuram-72; Kollam-74; Idukki-75; Kozhikode-74; Wayanad-80; Kannur and Kasargode-76 each.

Damp beginning Early in the morning, trends had indicated a general apathy with moderate to heavy overnight rain interfering with the proceedings. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Idukki were the most affected.

But Idukki stood out from the rest and saw voters forming long queues. The hill district is special in that the Munnar belt that saw a plantation unrest in the recent past falls within it.

The Pompilai Orumai, a fellowship of women plantation labourers that spearheaded a month-long strike, had plunged headlong into the fray with its own candidates.

30,000 candidates Voting was brisk in the politically volatile northern districts of Kannur, Kasaragod and Kozhikode. But neighbouring Wayanad went away with top honours as at 5 pm with an 80 per cent turn-out.

Voting had begun at 7 am in the seven districts that went to polls in the first phase. The rest seven will go to polls on Thursday in the second phase.

Counting is scheduled to be held for Saturday (November 7). More than 30,000 candidates are in the fray in the 9,220 wards in the seven districts.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), CPI(M)-led) Left Democratic Front (LDF), and the BJP, which is in league with the SNDP Yogam, an Ezhava community organisation, are mainly in the fray.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who leads the UDF coalition in the state, has gone on record saying that the local body polls would be a referendum on his government's performance.

The State is slated to go into the Assembly polls in the next six months.

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