In Kerala, brisk polling has been reported in several constituencies where polling began this morning. Voters formed long queues in several polling booths spread across the state.

2.43 crore voters are exercising their franchise in the state of which 1. 26 crore are women. 269 candidates are in the fray, including 27 women for the 20 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

21,424 polling stations have been set up, of which 2126 have been identified as sensitive. 51,000 police personnel including 55 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed. Of these 10 companies of paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the politically volatile Kannur district alone.

The Congress is contesting in 16 seats, while its ally IUML in two, Kerala Congress-Mani, Socialist Janata (Democratic) and RSP in one each.

Prominent Congress candidates include union ministers Sasi Tharoor, Kodikkunnel Suresh, Prof K V Thomas and Mullappally Ramachandran.

Another union minister E Ahmed of the IUML is is trying his luck from Malappuram.

The CPI-M is contesting in 11 seats, while the CPI in four. The LDF has extended support to five independent candidates.

The BJP has fielded former union minister O Rajagopal in Thiruvananthapuram in its bid to open its account.