Nearly 60 per cent of the 24.33 lakh voters in Palakkad district voted by 2:30 pm on Thursday in the civic body elections. Of 12.81 lakh women voters, 7.69 lakh had voted. Among 11.51 lakh men voters, 6.83 lakh cast their votes by the afternoon. Pattambi municipality had the highest polling percentage at 54.29%, while Palakkad municipality had the lowest at 40.68%. Pattambi block led among the 13 blocks with 52.66% polling. Malampuzha block had the lowest at 48.12%. Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh and Power Minister K. Krishnankutty voted with their families at separate booths. Tensions rose as CPI(M) accused an IUML worker in Karimba panchayat of voter impersonation. The IUML worker reportedly voted in two different booths. Police are investigating the complaint against Tajudheen. In Vandazhi panchayat, UDF candidate Sajita Vipin said CPI(M) workers attacked her home, injuring her husband, mother, and infant child. Polling started briskly at 7 a.m. with voters arriving in groups and alone. There are 3,054 polling booths — 2,749 in panchayats and 305 in municipalities. A total of 6,724 candidates are contesting. Counting is set for Saturday at 20 centers. The Election Commission marked 284 polling stations as sensitive. It deployed 4,366 control units and 12,393 ballot units. Around 4,500 police personnel, plus 25 deputy superintendents, 40 inspectors, 300 sub-inspectors, and a 140-member Central paramilitary unit were on duty. Additional officers monitored 180 web-cast sensitive booths. In 93 wards near the Tamil Nadu border, ballot labels included candidates’ names in Tamil for voter convenience.