Wednesday, May 3 2006 10:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kannur: Polling in 15 assembly segments in Kerala's Kannur and Kasaragod districts, where elections are held in the third and final phase, began today (May 3, 2006)morning amidst unprecedented security arrangements.

The voting began at 0700 hours in 1,503 booths in 10 assembly constituencies Kannur district and 843 polling stations in the five segments in Kasaragod amidst heightened security cover after the authorities classified all the polling booths in the two districts as 'sensitive'.

Altogether 85 candidates are in the fray from the two districts where the main fight is between the traditional rivals the Congress-led United Democratic Front and the CPI-M led Left Democratic Front.

The BJP, which is hoping to open its account in the assembly, also has put up candidates in all the segments.

An estimated 24.08 lakh people are expected to cast their votes during the polling which concludes at 1700 hours.

Around 13,000 security personnel including those drawn from Haryana, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are deployed to ensure smooth conduct of the polls in the region. Nearly 1,000 digital cameras are installed in select polling booths to capture the pattern of voting to prevent irregularities.

The first phase of elections in the state was held on April 22 in six southern districts while six central and northern districts went to polls on April 29.