30% polling in tech glitch-marked second phase of local polls

Second phase of local body polls is underway in seven districts of Kerala

The second phase of polling in the local government elections in Kerala, covering seven districts, got off to a glitches-marked start on Thursday with some 30 per cent votes being polled by 12 noon.

The polling was, however, marked by technical glitches in some 270 polling booths in Malappuram and Thrissur districts.

Polling had to be suspended for a while in the glitches-hit polling booths and there were allegations of tampering of the electronic voting machines from different political parties and demand for re-polling in the affected booths.

Early reports spoke of cellophane tapes and pieces of paper being used to stall the functioning of EVMs. The administration swung into action and set the machines right within an hour in most booths.

While leaders of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and CPI(M) wanted a re-poll in the affected booths, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the widespread glitches should be looked into seriously.

Following complaints from all sides, the State Election Commission asked the district administration in Malappuram and Palakkad to closely monitor the progress of polling and report any untoward development.

Leaders of all major parties were confident about the outcome of the polls. The counting of votes would take place on Saturday.

PTI adds:

A total of 44,388 candidate are in the fray for 12,651 seats in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram where the polling is being held on Thursday.

Two corporations — Kochi and Thrissur and 55 muncipalities, 576 gramma panchayats, 89 block panchayats and seven district panchayats are among the local bodies where the second phase polling is being held.

First phase of the polls was held on November 2 in Kasargod, Kozhikode, Kannur, Idukki, Kollam, Wayanad and Thiruvananthapuram.

The counting of votes will be held on November 7.

The local body elections is crucial this year as Assembly polls are to be held by mid-next year and the civic results would indicate the political trend in the state.

The polls will also test the BJP’s efforts to break the bipolar polity in the state, led by Congress-led UDF and CPI(M)-led LDF, by corning the support of Ezhava outfit Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP).