Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 9 (IANS) The first phase of Kerala’s local body elections witnessed brisk polling across seven districts on Tuesday, with long queues of voters seen at booths from early morning.

Polling began at 7 a.m. after mock polling and will continue till 6 p.m.

By noon, the overall turnout had crossed 47 per cent across the seven districts voting in the first phase, reflecting strong voter participation.

Voting is underway in 595 local self-government institutions across Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam districts.

The elections cover three municipal corporations, 39 municipalities, seven district panchayats, 75 block panchayats and 471 gram panchayats, spread across a total of 11,168 wards.

Former Defence Minister A.K.

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