Thiruvananthapuram, 10 Dec (H.S.):As Kerala heads into the second phase of its local body elections, as many as 16 candidates have been elected unopposed in Kasaragod and Kannur districts, according to the State Election Commission.
In Kannur district, uncontested victories were recorded in five wards of Anthoor Municipality — Morazha, Kodallur, Thaliyil, Podikkund and Anchampeedika. Besides, six wards in Kannapuram grama panchayat and three wards in Malappattam grama panchayat also saw candidates being elected without a contest.
In Kasaragod district, one ward each in Mangalpady and Madikai grama panchayats reported unopposed results. While polling will not be conducted in these specific grama panchayat wards, voting will still take place at the respective polling booths for block and district panchayat seats, officials said.
Meanwhile, polling in the Paayimpadam ward of Moothedam grama panchayat in Malappuram district has been postponed following the death of UDF candidate Haseena. Elections were also cancelled in two other wards — the Onakkoor ward of Pampakuda grama panchayat in Ernakulam district and the Vizhinjam coastal ward of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation — due to the demise of contesting candidates. The State Election Commission is expected to announce revised polling dates for these wards soon.
The first phase of the Kerala local body elections was held on Monday across seven districts — Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam — covering 11,168 wards in 595 local bodies. Voter turnout was encouraging, with Alappuzha, Idukki and Ernakulam reporting over 70 per cent polling by 6 pm, while Thiruvananthapuram recorded the lowest turnout at 65.93 per cent.
The second phase of polling will be held on December 11 in the remaining districts, covering 12,408 wards across 604 local bodies. Counting of votes for both phases will begin on December 13 at 8 am.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
