Palakkad (Kerala), Nov 20 (Reporter) An estimated 70.18 percent of voters have exercised their franchise till the completion of polling at 1800 hours in the byelection to Palakkad Assembly Constituency on Wednesday. The voting percentage was less than the 2021 assembly election when it recorded 75.44. The polling started at a snail pace in the morning and 53.33 percent polling was recorded till 1500 hours. However, brisk polling was reported and the voter turnout has increased in the last hours. 'In a few polling booths , the voting process continued after the scheduled time at 1800 hours. The official figure of voter turnout will be available later from the Election department. Palakkad Municipal area reported 70.12 percent, while Mathur 69.78, Kannadi 68.42 and Pirayari panchayath 69.26 percent. Kannadi is the stronghold of LDF, while Palakkad Municipality is the stronghold of BJP and Pirayari is the stronghold of UDF and Mathur is the equal stronghold of LDF and UDF. BJP camp is confident considering the increase in the voting percentage at Palakkad municipal area by five percent from 65 percent to 70 percent. In the 2021 election, UDF's Shafi Parambil won a margin of 3859 votes against BJP candidate Metroman E Sreedharan. BJP president K Surendran said, the saffron party will win the seat after Suresh Gopi won from Thrissur Lok Sabha seat in Kerala in 2024. UDF candidate Rahul Mamkootathil said they will surely win even if the polling percentage was decreased, While LDF candidate P Sareen said, this time its party candidate will surely win and the UDF will come in the third spot. In the last hour around 1715 hours , a confrontation was reported between the UDF candidate Rahul Mamkooth and the workers of BJP and LDF, following the former visit to 43 number polling booth at Government High school, Vennakkara in Palakkad Municipal area. The police intervened and removed Rahul Mamkooth from the booth. Later an altercation was also reported outside the booth. Police dispersed the mob. BJP, LDF workers alleged that they questioned Rahul Mamkooth when he tried to canvas for votes inside the booth by raising his hands (symbol of Congress). BJP district president K M Haridas could not cast his vote at a booth in GLPS, Sulthanpettai, following the allegation raised by the UDF and LDF workers about his double voting. Haridas told media persons that he abstained from the voting to avoid tension and to maintain a peaceful atmosphere and the BJP was sure about the win of C Krishnakumar in this election. Ten candidates are in the fray and the counting will be held on November 23...////...