Ernakulam votes today to elect representatives to 111 local bodies

As many as 26,67,746 voters are expected to decide the fate of the candidates in the fray as Ernakulam district is scheduled to vote in the first phase of local body polls in the state on Tuesday. A total of 7,347 candidates are applying for public office in 2,220 neighborhoods of 111 local institutions in the district. Voting will be held between 07.00-18.00

Voting materials were distributed to approximately 14,000 officials designated for duty at 28 distribution centers in the district on Monday. District Collector G. Priyanka, St. He visited the distribution center of Peter High School and evaluated the survey preparations. Voting will be held in 3,021 ballot boxes. A total of 7,490 ballot boxes and 3,036 control units were established for voting in the district.

While 82 panchayats in the district recorded an impressive voter turnout of 81.01% in previous polls in 2020, the voting percentage in 13 municipalities was 75.56. Meanwhile, turnout at Kochi Corporation was relatively low at 62.04%. Election officials and political fronts expect to witness an increase in the voting percentage this time compared to 2020 when the polls were held amid pandemic fears.

The online broadcast will take place at 72 polling stations identified as sensitive by the police. Additionally, video recording will be allowed at 147 polling stations as per the demands of the concerned candidates and the Kerala High Court directive. “Voters will be filmed only outside the polling station, thus maintaining the secrecy of the voting procedure. No video shooting will be allowed inside the polling booths. The recorded videos will be kept with the Election Commission. The footage will not be handed over to political fronts or candidates,” the Collector said in a statement on Monday.

There are 13,88,544 women, 12,79,170 men and 32 transgender people among the voters in the district. Candidates and political leaders spent their time quietly campaigning Monday, going door-to-door with voters, handing out leaflets and visiting influential people.