Thaindian News

Kannur (Kerala), Oct 23 (IANS) Polls to local bodies in Kerala’s Kannur district, the stronghold of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, were not trouble free Saturday as a country-made bomb went off in one poll booth and there were reports of alleged booth capturing in some areas.

The bomb went off at a booth in Payannur where a voting machine was also smashed, officials said.

But CPI-M strongman from Kannur E.P. Jayarajan blamed the opposition for creating terror while voting was on.

“This is being done by those who have lost the confidence of the people in certain areas of the district,” said Jayarajan.

Polling began at 7 a.m. and, according to official figures, Kannur district recorded 50 percent polling till 1 p.m.

Leader of opposition Oommen Chandy, meanwhile, has written to the State Election Commission, saying that there have been incidents of ballot boxes being captured at several booths at Panoor in Kannur. He has urged the poll panel to see that steps are taken to ensure that people can cast their votes without fear.

He also alleged that the ruling Left was creating trouble and was not allowing the agents of the opposition to sit in the polling booth.

At Pattuvum, a re-poll has been ordered in two booths after reports of booth capturing. The poll will be held Monday.

Following reports of trouble in some areas of Kannur, the State Election Commissioner has asked for a detailed report from district authorities.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister of State for Home Mullapally Ramachandran said he had received reports that there could be “problems” in Kannur.

“We were prepared to send central forces but the state government was not keen on it. The report that I have received is that there could be problems in Kannur,” Ramachandran said after casting his vote.

State Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, however, denied this.

“Till now no one has informed me of any issues anywhere. And if anyone can point out any trouble, it would be looked into,” Balakrishnan said.

There have been many clashes in Kannur over the years between activists of the CPI-M, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Apart from Kannur, the first phase of local body polls are being held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kasargode districts.