THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With just minutes left for counting to begin, strong rooms have been opened. Even the counting agents are allowed to enter into the voting centres after stringent checking. Postal votes are counted first.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has expressed his hope for victory to the media after visiting Haripad Sri Subramanian Swamy Temple. Meanwhile, Oommen Chandy who went outside after offering prayers in Pauthupally church didn’t respond to the media.

Devaswom minister Kadakampaly Surendran also expressed hope that in Kazhakoottam the left front will secure a landslide victory. “The people of the constituency has also expressed confidence in that regard. Compared to last time, victory is more comfortable now. Even though the contenders tried to make Sabarimala into an electoral topic, it didn’t produce any effect in the constituency. The issue was most commonly used in Kazhakootam,” he said.

UDF candidate in Kundara, P C Vishnunath has said that he has faith in people not in pre-poll surveys. Vishnunath who reached the vote-counting centre said that Kundara also added that UDF will win in Kundara.

The lone woman candidate of the Muslim League, who is contesting from Kozhikode, also expressed hope of victory.