Kerala by-election: Polling ends; Ernakulam witnesses lowest voter turnout in state

Heavy rain in various places of Kerala was reported on polling day.  Ernakulam witnessed a lowest voter turnout in the state at 56.8%.   

Thiruvananthapuram: Voting in five constituencies ended at around 6 pm on Monday (October 21) after the Election Commission decided not to extend polling time in Kerala, despite speculation of extension due to heavy rains in the state.  

Polling was held in Vattiyoorkavu (Thiruvananthapuram), Aroor (Alappuzha), Konni (Pathanamthitta), Ernakulam and Manjeshwaram (Kasaragod). 

Meanwhile, heavy rains at various places in the state was reported, causing low voter turnout, Ernakulam being the most affected at 56.8%.  
According to reports, Vattiyoorkavu witnessed 74.12% voter turnout, Aroor 79.09%, Konni 70.10%, and Manjeshwaram 74.12%.  
As many as 9,59,509 voters, including 4,91,455 women and 4,66,047 men voted for their representatives from 35 candidates in the fray. 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday (October 21) issued an orange alert in 12 districts, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad, which will continue to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning.

An orange alert has also been issued for October 22 in 13 districts, including Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.