Heavy polling in Kerala; 58% till 3 pm

An estimated 57.54% voters exercised their franchise till 3 pm in the elections to 140 Assembly constituencies in Kerala today as polling steadily picked up pace with three hours left for the close.
        

The state capital Thiruvananthapuram recorded the lowest of 44.93% till 3 pm, it said.
    

After a slow start with 12.11% till 9 am, the percentage picked up later in the day and touched 43.88% at 1 pm. Polling to decide the fate of 1,203 candidates in the fray was peaceful across the state so far, police said.
    

Tight security has been put in place across the state with the deployment of about 52,000 police personnel besides central forces. 

Over 30% polling had been recorded in the initial five hours.  Highest voter turnout was reported from Nemom and Vattiyurkavu constituencies in Thiruvananthapuram district, where the BJP holds high hopes. Northern districts include Wayanad, Malappuram,  Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod is witnessing heavy voter turn out. 

The intermittent rains could not dampen the spirit of the voters. The weatherman has warned heavy rain in the afternoon. 

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