ARANMULA: An old man who came to cast his vote in Aranmula collapsed and died. He has been identified as Gopinath Kurup, 65. A heavy polling is being recorded in the state since morning. According to the Election Commission, 17.2 per cent of voters cast their ballots in the first three hours of polling. The highest polling was recorded in Palakkad and Kollam.

Meantime, there are reports of technical snag in voting machines in various places. Voting is progressing in strict compliance with Covid protocol as there are warnings that the transmission of the disease will intensify in the state. Noted leaders and candidates arrived in the morning to cast their votes. The number of booths has also been increased this time in the wake of Covid. Voting began after mock polling in 40,771 booths in the presence of agents. The by-election to Malappuram Lok Sabha constituency is also on with the assembly elections. 957 candidates are contesting for the assembly. Polling will be held till 7 pm.