Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Voters in seven districts of Kerala began casting ballots on Tuesday in the first phase of crucial local elections, viewed by many as a key indicator ahead of next year's state legislative assembly contest.

Voting began at 7 am for the local bodies in seven districts--Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam and by 9.30 am, the polling percentage crossed 14.5 per cent, according to the State Election Commission (SEC).

Voters of all ages and professions, including actors like Asif Ali and Renji Panicker, were seen standing in queues since early morning to exercise their franchise.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly V D Satheesan, UDF convener Adoor Prakash and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala expressed conf

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