THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The five southern districts of Kerala recorded 72.03 percent by late afternoon in the first phase of elections to the local bodies on Tuesday.

The polling percentage in Thiruvananthapuram was 69.24 per cent, and Kollam- 72.79, Pathanamthitta- 69.33, Alappuzha 76.42, and Idukki 73.99.

The poll began at 7 am to decide the fate of 24,584 candidate in fray.

Five central districts will go to polls on December 10 and four northern districts on December 14. Counting of votes will take place on December 16.