TRIVANDRUM, India, 30 April 2006 — More than 70 percent of voters cast their ballots in the second phase of Kerala assembly elections in 66 central and northern constituencies yesterday.
Deputy Inspector General of Police V. Santaram said no violence was reported at any of the polling stations.
Among the key contestants were the left’s chief ministerial candidates V. S. Achuthanandan (Malampuzha constituency) and Paloli Mohammed Kutty (Ponnani), Muslim League leader P.K. Kunhalikkutty (Kuttippuram), former Chief Minister K. Karunakaran’s son K. Muraleedharan and nine ministers.
The third phase of polling for the 140-member assembly will take place May 3. Results are expected May 11.
The left is expected to win more seats in the six southern districts that went to the polls in the first phase but the ruling coalition hopes to consolidate its position because of the heavy turnout in the second phase and the front that is able to wrest a majority in these would be well placed to form the next government.
Major Congress nominees in the fray include Assembly Speaker Therambil Ramakrishnan (Trichur), United Democratic Front convener P.P. Thankachan (Perumbavur) and Electricity Minister Aryadan Muhammad (Nilambur).
Electronic voting machines played truant in some polling centers. After going around his constituency. Achuthanandan expressed confidence that he would win by over 20,000 votes against Congress youth leader Satisan Pacheni. Pacheni had lost to Achuthanandan in the 2001 election by 4,703 votes.
“The LDF is on course of a historic win and there is no doubt about this,” said Achuthanandan.
But former Chief Minister Karunakaran claimed after casting his vote that the Congress-led UDF would retain power.
