KOTTAYAM: Voting is progressing in Puthupally and has crossed 50%. A turnout of 53.5% was registered till 2 pm. A long queue of voters is witnessed in the polling booths. The fronts expect more than 80% poling.

UDF candidate Chandy Oommen and LDF candidate Jaick C Thomas voted in the morning itself. Chandy Oommen voted at the polling booth in Georgian School in Puthupally.

Jaick voted at the L P School in Manarkad. There is no vote for the NDA candidate Lijin Lal in his constituency. Minister V N Vasavan came to cast his vote with his family.

Earlier, CPM state secretary M V Govindan had responded that the good polling in Puthupally constituency gives hope of victory to Jaick C Thomas. UDF expected an easy walkover. However, he told media that the situation changed since development was discussed.

Polling started at 7 in the morning and will end at 6 pm. There are 182 booths in eight panchayats. Seven including three front candidates, an AAP representative and three independents are in the fray. The votes will be counted on Friday.