PALAKKAD: Clashes broke out in connection with UDF candidate Rahul Mamkootathil's visit to a polling booth in Vennakkara. LDF and BJP activists alleged that the candidate went to the booth and canvassed votes. Clashes broke out in the area after Rahul was stopped by activists of both parties. More police have arrived here as there is a possibility of clashes.

Rahul said that LDF and BJP workers were unnecessarily creating tension and that he was stopped by both parties. Rahul also asked arent other candidates coming to the polling booths.

67.53 per cent of the voters have cast their votes so far as the polling time is entering the last hour. The polling, which was slow in the morning, intensified after noon. Palakkad municipality has recorded 66.42 per cent polling so far, Kannadi 66.33 per cent, Piriyari 67.55 per cent and Mathur 64.63 per cent.

NDA candidate C Krishnakumar reached the Ayyappapuram Government LP School and cast his vote in the morning. He told the media that people will vote for development.

Meanwhile, a malfunction in the VVPAT at booth number 88 at Trueline Public School in Manapullikavu delayed the polling. LDF candidate Dr P Sarin cast his vote here. He waited for half an hour in the morning and returned home to come back in the afternoon and cast his vote. Sarin responded that the minds of the people of Palakkad are with him.