Polling likely to cross 90 per cent by evening; Kerala sees massive voter turnout in assembly elections

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy polling is reported across Kerala during this assembly election. If the trend continues, it is possible for the total voter turnout to cross 90 per cent by evening. There have been long queues at polling booths since morning, irrespective of urban and rural areas. Voting began at 7 am today. There are 2,71,42,952 voters to elect 883 candidates. Dr Rathan U Kelkar, IAS, the Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala, credited the massive voter turnout to the Special Intensive Revision(SIR) carried out effectively in the state.

Mock polls began at many booths around 6.30 pm. The distribution of polling materials to 30,495 polling booths in 140 constituencies was completed by evening yesterday.

Enter the 10-digit EPIC number of the ID card on the Election Commission's website https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in/. If you search by selecting Kerala instead of the state and entering the captcha, you will know the booth. If you do not know the card number, you can find out where your vote is by entering your mobile phone number. You can find out where your vote is on the website by entering your district, constituency, name and age.

Halwa for maiden vote

Halwa is being distributed to maiden voters at the booths selected under the name 'Vote Sweetened Kerala'. 200 halwa packets have been delivered to each DEO office. There are 4,66,408 maiden voters in the state.

As the heat continues throughout the day, it is advisable to wear a hat when going to the polling booth. Those who are walking should remember to bring an umbrella. Avoid exposing your body to the sun directly between 11 am and 3 pm. Heat can cause health problems such as sunstroke, heatstroke, and dehydration.

The most problematic booths in the state are in Kannur - 771, then followed by Kozhikode - 312, Kasaragod - 238, Thiruvananthapuram - 212, Kollam - 189, Wayanad - 69.