Kerala Elections Record 50% Turnout by Early Afternoon

Voters across Kerala turned out in large numbers on Thursday for the single-phase assembly elections, with nearly 50 percent of the state's 2.69 crore registered electors casting ballots by early afternoon in a contest that could determine whether the ruling Left Democratic Front secures a historic third term.

Polling began at 7 a.m. in all 140 constituencies and was scheduled to continue until 6 p.m., under tight security involving over 76,000 personnel and webcasting at polling stations. The Election Commission reported a turnout of 49.70 percent by 1 p.m., up from 33.28 percent at 11 a.m. and 16.23 percent at 9 a.m. Ernakulam district recorded the highest percentage at 52.94, while Ponnani had the lowest at 44.52. Among the 2,69,53,644 voters, women numbered 1,38,27,319 and men 1,31,26,048, with 277 in the third gender category. Nearly 4.24 lakh were aged 18-19, and over 2 lakh were 85 or older. A total of 30,471 polling stations facilitated the process for 883 candidates.

The elections pit the incumbent LDF, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and holding 99 seats, against the Congress-led United Democratic Front, which seeks to end a decade of Left rule. The BJP-led...