Thiruvananthapuram, Saturday, November 07, 2009: The by-polls held in the three constituencies in Kerala has been come to an end. According to official data, Kannur reported 72% voter turnout Alappuzha and Ernakulam notched 64 and 59 percent voter turn around respectively.

The polling was reported to be moderate and peaceful.

At Kannur, voting took place amidst tight security with more than 270 paramilitary troopers posted at 129 polling booths. Ernakulam had 137 polling booths while Alappuzha had 104.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) has the unique record of never losing a by-poll while in power. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), euphoric after the Lok Sabha poll success, will be looking to retain all the three seats.

The most bitter battle was at Kannur, where the Election Commission had to intervene and remove District Collector V.K. Balakrishnan following complaints from the Congress that he was acting at the behest of ruling Left DF.

In Kannur, two-time CPI-M legislator M.V. Jayarajan was pitted against his former colleague and two-time MP A.P. Abdulla Kutty, who joined the Congress after the Marxist party expelled him.

In Ernakulam, the Congress had fielded former state minister and three-time legislator Dominic Presentation, while the CPI-M has put up P.N. Seenulal.

Meanwhile at Alappuzha, second biggest LDF constituent, the Communist Party of India had fielded G. Krishnaprasad and the Congress has put up district president A.A. Shukur.