KOCHI: The second phase of local body polls recorded 35% polling in the first four and a half hours. Voting is progressing in Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Wayanad districts. A long queue of voters was witnessed in front of the booths. The situation is the same in all districts. Wayanad has the highest turnout of 37%.

Polling starting at 6 am at Kuttikkal in Mundakayam, Kottayan has sparked a controversy. The polling started at Elangattil in Kuttikkal panchayat at 6 am. Polling was suspended after 17 cast their vote when the incident stoked a controversy. Following collector’s directive, the votes of the 17 who cast their vote before 7 am, has been cancelled. All efforts are taken to call them back and make them vote again.

The voting machines developed technical snag in many places. Polling was disrupted in Palakkad St Sebastian School due to technical glitch. A second voting machine brought too developed technical snag. The same was with the third one brought. The voters came forward staging protests. Technical experts resolved the issue later and resumed polling. Polling was disrupted for nearly two hours.

Former chief minister Oommen Chandy, Ministers A C Moideen, Sunil Kumar, C Raveendranath, film actors Innocent, Tovino Thomas, Manju Warrier and director Sathyan Anthicaud cast their votes in the morning itself.