Rain mars bypolls in Kerala

  by-polls to five assembly constituencies in Kerala was marred by heavy rains, especially in Ernakulam, but was incident-free.

A woman was arrested in Manjeshwaram in Kasaragod for impersonation as she allegedly tried to cast a bogus vote in a booth.

She was later released on bail.

As voting drew to a close at 6 PM, people in queues in various booths were allowed to vote.

Heavy rains affected voting in early hours in Ernakulam as voters wed through water-logged ros to exercise ir franchise and water seeped into some booths on Monday, while polling went off smoothly in four or constituencies.

Chief Electoral officer Teeka Ram Meena said 10 waterlogged booths on ground floor were shifted to first floor in Kochi.

Voting in Ernakulam was t affected, he said.

Except for Manjeshwaram, constituencies of Konni, Vattiyoorkavu and Aroor were also affected by rains till on, but worst affected was Kochi city and nearby areas in Ernakulam.

Polling percent at 5 PM in Manjeshwaram was 66.23 per cent, in Ernakulam 53.27 per cent, Aroor 75.74 per cent, while Konni and Vattiyoorkavu recorded 66.37 per cent and 60.81 per cent respectively.

A woman voter in Kochi said this was first time people h to exercise ir franchise wing through knee deep muddy water at Ayyappankavu.

A 92-year old man who was t allowed to vote as he carried only a copy of his voter ID returned with all his identity cards to vote despite rains.

strength of voters in five constituencies is 9.57 lakh.

ruling CPI(M)-led LDF, opposition Congress heed UDF and BJP-led NDA are three fronts which h locked horns for five seats.

While bypoll to Majeshwaram was held following death of sitting MLA of IUML, a coalition partner of UDF, in remaining four constituencies, polls were necessitated after legislators quit following ir successful foray into Lok Sabha.

In 140-member Kerala assembly, ruling LDF has 92 MLAs, UDF 46, BJP one, besides an independent MLA, P C George.

One seat is reserved for a minated member of Anglo Indian community.