Heavy polling continued in municipal areas across the district with the average voting percentage exceeding 40 per cent in seven of the 11 municipalities. The average polling in the entire municipal areas was recorded at 40.77 per cent at 11 a.m. The total voting per cent for the entire district was recorded at 36 per cent.
Aluva led the pack with 48 per cent of its voters exercising their franchise by 11 a.m. Polling gathered momentum in Muvattupuzha municipality with 46.3 per cent excercising their franchise closely followed by Angamaly where 46 per cent voters had cast their votes by 11 a.m. Perumbavur municipality recorded 45.9 per cent polling. North Paravur, Maradu, and Kalamassery recorded 42.4 per cent, 40.9 per cent and 40.8 per cent respectively. In both Eloor and Thripunithura municipalities 36 per cent of the total voters had cast their votes.
Polling was relatively low in Kothamangalam and Thrikkakara municipalities where 33 per cent and 33.2 per cent voters cast their votes. Kochi Corporation was behind in terms of polling with only 33 per cent voters coming to polling booths by 11 a.m.
In comparison polling in rural areas was more sedate with the total voting turnout at 11 a.m. recorded at 35 per cent. Only five of the 14 block panchayats recorded 40 per cent or more voter turnout. The highest voting per cent was recorded at Vypeen and Vadavucode block panchayats, 42 per cent. Pampakuda (41.5 per cent), Mulanthuruthy (40.01), and Palluruthy (40 per cent) were the other three block panchayats recording 40 per cent or more voter turnout.
The lowest voter turnout was at Alangad block panchayat where only 13 per cent of the voters had cast their votes by 11 a.m. E.G. Georgekutty, returning officer for the block, said that while the voter turnout was reasonable, voters were taking much time in casting votes resulting in low voting per cent taken on hour-on-hour basis. Voters at the village level had to cast three votes – for district panchayat, village panchayat, and the block panchayat. Considering this ballot papers were being used at the village level instead of voting machines and this was also adding to the delay.
Muvattupuzha and Angamaly block panchayats recorded 39 and 38 per cent voter turn out by 11 a.m. Kothamangalam (37.6 per cent), Koovappady (35 per cent), North and Paravur and Vazhakkulam (both 32 per cent), Parakkadavu (31.5 per cent) and Edappally block panchayats made up the rest of the list.
