THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first phase of the local body elections in seven districts of Kerala recorded a good polling percentage of 70.9%. However, this is lower than the 73.79% recorded in the 2020 elections. Enthusiastic campaigning and controversies had added heat to this year's polls.

Voting was held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, and Idukki districts. Ernakulam recorded the highest polling at 74.58%, while Thiruvananthapuram saw the lowest at 67.4%. 71.6% of male voters, 70.28% of female voters, and 40.45% of transgender voters cast their votes. Out of a total of 1.32 crore eligible voters, 94 lakh had voted by 8 PM, with the final turnout likely to change slightly.

Except for a few minor incidents, voting was peaceful overall. Even aft

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