Thiruvananthapuram: The second phase of polling in Karnataka and Kerala has commenced.  Kerala has recorded 15.32% polling percentage and Karnataka has so far witnessed 7.4% polling percentage.

A total of 13 states and two Union territories including Gujarat (26 constituencies), Kerala (20), Karnataka (14), Maharashtra (14), Uttar Pradesh (10) Bihar (5), West Bengal (5) Assam (4), Chhattisgarh (7), Goa (2), Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Diu and Kashmir with one constituency, will witness voting today. Polling began at 7am.

In Kerala, over 2.61 crore people are eligible to cast their votes, with a total of 227 candidates in the fray. Meanwhile, for Karnataka’s 14 seats, 237 candidates will seek a mandate from 2.43 crore eligible voters. Karnataka is witnessing its second phase of polling. The first phase of elections in the state was held on April 18.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that there are reports of EVM malfunction in many booths in the state. He said that he hopes the Election Commission would take notice of it. 

The Lok Sabha elections started on April 11 and will conclude on May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.