KERALA: Polling percentage in the Nilambur Assembly constituency bypoll slightly exceeded the turnout recorded during the 2021 elections in the state, according to the final figures released by the Election Commission on Friday.

The final turnout in the bypoll stands at 75.27 per cent, slightly more than the 75.20 per cent polling recorded in the constituency in the 2021 Assembly elections.

Figures released by late Thursday night showed the turnout to be 73.26 per cent. The votes would be counted on June 23.

Polling, which commenced at 7 am on Thursday amidst tight security arrangements, was peaceful. Central security forces and state police were deployed, and live monitoring was arranged through an extensive webcasting system during the polling.

The turnout was 13.15 per cent in the first two hours, increased to 30.15 by 11 am, and reached close to 60 per cent by 3 pm, and then slowed down towards the evening to cross 70 per cent at 5 pm.

Voting took place at 263 polling booths located across the constituency, which has 2.32 lakh voters. As many as 10 candidates are contesting in the polls.

Among the 10, the key contenders are ruling LDF pick M Swaraj, Aryadan Shoukath (Congress-led UDF), Trinamool Congress state convener and independent candidate P V Anvar, and Mohan George of the BJP-led NDA.

The bypoll was necessitated due to the resignation of Anvar as MLA from Nilambur constituency following his severing of ties with the CPI(M)-led LDF over certain allegations by him against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his close aides.