AMN /
About 75.5% voters exercised their franchise in the first phase of polling to the local bodies held in seven districts today. According to preliminary reports, Wayanad district recorded the highest polling rate of 80% while Thiruvananthapuram recorded the lowest rate of 72%.
Rain affected polling in some parts including Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts in the early hours. Polling was by and large peaceful barring sporadic untoward incidents in Kannur.
In all, 31 thousand 161 candidates were in the fray, seeking mandate from over 1 crore 11 lakhs voters.
Female candidates outnumbered male contestants in all the districts. The second phase of polling will be held on Thursday and the counting will take place this Saturday.