Second half battle today

Of the total voters 86,08,540 are women and 53,89,079 men. All major political formations in the state UDF,LDF and BJP have high stakes in the elections being held in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram.

As many as 44,388 candidates are in the fray 12,651 wards spread across these districts. The highest number of candidates are in Malappuram 8,693 who are contesting in 2,510 wards and the lowest in Pathanmathitaa 3814 for 1,042 wards.

There are 186 sensitive booths with the highest in Ernakulam—48. Webcasting facility has been put in place in as many as 1,019 booths. The UDF and LDF are locked in a direct battle in Ernakulam and Thrissur corporations, currently held by the Congress led front.

All eyes are set on Alappuzha ditrict where SNDP has sizeable presence. Observers say the outcome in Alappuzha will decide in many ways, the future course of politics in the state with respect to LDF and the BJP which is desperate to open account in next Assembly elections.

IUML stronghold Malappuram is all set for interesting contest with the League and Congress facing several rebels in many wards.

The rebels are banking on LDF support to defeat official candidates. The BJP is making a desperate bid to wrest Palakkad municipality which was evident from their top leaders wooing the Christians. For tainted Finance Minister K M Mani, retaining his party's supremacy in Kottayam district is a big challenge. RSP and KC (B) factors are likely to play out in Pathanamthitta district.