The second phase of polling in the local elections in Kerala ended peacefully at around 7 PM on Thursday without any major incidents of violence after being initially disrupted due to faulty Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Malappuram district. However, four booths in Thissur district and 105 booths in Malappuram district will have re-polling on Friday due to faulty machines.
Polling started at 7 AM in the seven districts of Alappuzha, Thrissur, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Malappuram and Palakkad. Like the first phase of polls held in the other seven districts, the state witnessed around 75 percent turnout on Monday
Earlier on Thursday there were speculations about intentional overturning of the electoral process in Malappuram district.
Reacting to this, BJP President V Muraleedharan said, "Attempt to overturn has terrorist links. It has only happened in SDPI influential areas. The police should find out who has helped them."
VS Achuthanandan told his party will win with a huge majority.
State Finance Minister K M Mani, who is facing a re-probe in the bar bribery scandal said, “Controversies won’t affect the civic polls. Congress will have a charming win.”
The results are due to be out Saturday. The LDF headed by the CPI (M) has not won an election since 2006.