Thiruvananthapuram: Voting for the first phase of Kerala’s local body elections has concluded, with overall voter turnout reaching 70.90 per cent by 9 pm.

Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam emerged as the top-performing districts, each recording over 70 per cent voter participation.

By mid-afternoon, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Kollam continued to lead in voter participation, while Thiruvananthapuram and Idukki remained at the lower end of the turnout chart.

Voting for the first phase of the Kerala local body elections commenced on Tuesday morning, marking the beginning of a crucial civic poll battle across the state. A total of 36,620 candidates are contesting for 11,167 wards in 595 local bodies across the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam.

Polling began at 7 am and came to an end around 6 pm. Earlier in the day, a mock poll was conducted at 6 am as per the Election Commission’s schedule.

Polling percentage as of 9 pm: Thiruvananthapuram-67.40%, Kollam-70.36%, Pathanamthitta-66.78%, Alappuzha-73.76%, Kottayam-70.94%, Idukki-71.77% and Ernakulam-74.58%

Voters of all ages and professions, including actors like Asif Ali and Renji Panicker, were seen standing in queues since early morning to exercise their franchise.

Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar also cast his vote in the local body polls in the state capital.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly V D Satheesan, UDF convener Adoor Prakash and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala expressed confidence of a "historic win" for the UDF, claiming there was an "anti-incumbency" feeling among the people and the Sabarimala gold issue has been a setback for the ruling LDF in the state.

Party stalwart A K Antony was also confident of a huge UDF victory, saying that people were ready for a change as they were tired of the present government.

He said that the BJP was too weak and therefore, the UDF was the only front that could bring a change in the state as desired by the people.

Antony refused to comment on the Sabarimala gold loss or Rahul Mamkootathil issues, saying that hike in water and electricity charges and price rise have thrown the normal day-to-day life of the people out of gear and those are the main problems.

would be a crucial step toward consolidating the gains and taking a step forward."

CPM MP John Brittas after casting his vote, said, "This is a celebration of grassroots democracy that we will not see anywhere else. The people themselves are discussing how to tread ahead. Their development issues, future, security, safety, and dignity are all being discussed. Kerala is now on the path of development. This trajectory needs to be kept up. And these local board elections would be a crucial step toward consolidating the gains and taking a step forward.”

Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor, too said that it was time for a change as the corporation in the state capital was under LDF rule for 45 years.

He said people were looking for a change due to issues like drainage and sanitation facilities in the city and for that the ruling party in power in the corporation needs to change.

Earlier in the day, Satheesan said that the sexual assault allegations against expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil will not affect the party in the polls as it took exemplary action against him.

He claimed that the Mamkootathil issue has also become a setback for the Left government as it has allegedly failed to arrest the MLA till now.

Suresh Gopi MP after casting his vote said, "The people will let us have the corporation to govern to their liking and work up their dreams for the city... We will set the track right...If all the promises that were made to people have gone in vain, there is a focus on my party and I think we are going to have it this time to the welfare and benefit of the people of Kerala through Thiruvananthapuram..." 

The ruling LDF too expressed confidence of scripting a huge victory, with CPM general secretary M A Baby claiming that the efficient probe by the court-appointed SIT into the Sabarimala gold issue will act in favour of the Left front in the polls.

The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by CPM, is banking on its record of development schemes and welfare pensions to secure support.

The BJP, which is striving to make deeper inroads into the state, is campaigning strongly on a platform that includes sensitive religious issues like the management of the Sabarimala temple.

In the first phase of polling in seven districts, people will cast their vote for electing candidates to 11,168 wards in 471 grama panchayats, 75 block panchayats, 7 district panchayats, 39 municipalities and three corporations.

Electorates in the remaining districts--Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, Wayanad and Kasaragod-- will vote on December 11.

According to the Election Commission, 2,86,62,712 voters are eligible to decide the outcome of 75,632 candidates contesting in 23,576 wards across the state in the two phases.

Results for all 1,199 local bodies are scheduled to be announced on December 13.

The election is being closely watched as a semi-final for the main political battle in the southern state.

As voters cast their ballots in the first seven districts, political campaigning in the remaining seven districts was set to end on Tuesday evening.

(with inputs from PTI)