An average 25% to 30% polling was recorded in the first five hours in assembly
bypolls in Kerala from Kannur, Ernakulam and Alappuzha.
The polling in politically-sensitive Kannur segment is taking place under strict surveillance of central paramilitary forces.
The voting is also taking place in a smooth manner in Ernakulam and Alappuzha.
According to the office of chief electoral officer here, 25% of the electorate cast their votes in Kannur, 26% in Ernakulam and 30% in Alappuzha till the afternoon.
The central forces had been deployed in all booths in Kannur under Election Commission's instructions.
Voters were allowed to enter the polling stations only after verifying their ID cards in Kannur, where campaigning had been marked by sharp exchanges between ruling CPI (M) and the Congress-led UDF during electioneering.
The main contest in all the three segments is between the ruling LDF and Congress-led UDF.
The by-elections were necessitated by resignation of Congress MLAs who held the respective seats following their election to the Lok Sabha.
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