COVID-19 patients were on Thursday allowed to cast their votes during the second phase of the Kerala local body polls wearing PPE kits, with an extra hour granted for them to exercise their franchise after 6 pm. 

Among the other COVID-19 protocols in place for the polling was a robot, installed at a polling booth in Kochi by the Ernakulam district administration, which checked the body temperature of voters while also dispensing hand sanitiser, ANI reported. 

The second phase of local body polls, held in five central districts in Kerala, recorded a turnout of 76.38%, ANI reported quoting the State Election Commission. 

According to PTI, the highest turnout was recorded in the Wayanad district with 79.39% and the lowest was in Kottyam district with 73.89%. 

The districts of Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad recorded turnouts of 77.02%, 74.92% and 77.83% respectively. 

The two corporations, Kochi and Thrissur, recorded turnouts of 61.90% and 63.62% respectively. 

The third phase in four districts, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod, will be held on December 14. Counting of votes will be held on December 16.