<p> Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi: Various church factions in Kerala on Friday urged the people to go and vote for those supporting secularism and democracy in the general elections in the southern state.</p>.Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Polling begins in 20 LS seats in Kerala; 5.62 per cent turnout after first hour's voting.<p>Voting commenced in all 20 Lok Sabha seats of the state at 7 am today.</p>.<p>Archbishop Raphael Thattil of the influential Syro-Malabar Church, after casting his vote, said the church wants everyone to live peacefully in the country.</p>.<p>Malankara Orthodox Syrian church head Baselios Marthoma Mathews III said the elections will help elect a new government for the betterment of the country.</p>.<p>Thrissur Archbishop and CBCI president Archbishop Andrews Thazhath said he was devastated after witnessing the situation in Manipur and said people will vote for those who support secularism and democracy.</p>.<p>"We are hurt when we see others get hurt. I saw the situation in Manipur. I saw the situation faced by the people there. I have personally asked the government and the union home minister to intervene in the matter," Thazhath told the media.</p>.<p>He urged the people to vote for those who support secularism and democracy in the country.</p>.<p>The influential Latin church said people were excited to exercise their right to vote in Kerala.</p>.<p>"Let every citizen exercise their right to vote and a good government come to power," Latin Archdiocese Vicar General Fr. Eugene Perera told the media.</p>.<p>All the political parties in the state were trying to cosy up to the church, which has a pretty much influential electorate in the state.</p>.<p>"The specialty of our country is that people from various religions live together in a peaceful manner. We want everyone here to continue living peacefully, have equal rights and feel safe and secure," Thattil said.</p>.<p>The voting will conclude at 6 pm and the results will be out on June 4. </p>
<p> Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi: Various church factions in Kerala on Friday urged the people to go and vote for those supporting secularism and democracy in the general elections in the southern state.</p>.Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Polling begins in 20 LS seats in Kerala; 5.62 per cent turnout after first hour's voting.<p>Voting commenced in all 20 Lok Sabha seats of the state at 7 am today.</p>.<p>Archbishop Raphael Thattil of the influential Syro-Malabar Church, after casting his vote, said the church wants everyone to live peacefully in the country.</p>.<p>Malankara Orthodox Syrian church head Baselios Marthoma Mathews III said the elections will help elect a new government for the betterment of the country.</p>.<p>Thrissur Archbishop and CBCI president Archbishop Andrews Thazhath said he was devastated after witnessing the situation in Manipur and said people will vote for those who support secularism and democracy.</p>.<p>"We are hurt when we see others get hurt. I saw the situation in Manipur. I saw the situation faced by the people there. I have personally asked the government and the union home minister to intervene in the matter," Thazhath told the media.</p>.<p>He urged the people to vote for those who support secularism and democracy in the country.</p>.<p>The influential Latin church said people were excited to exercise their right to vote in Kerala.</p>.<p>"Let every citizen exercise their right to vote and a good government come to power," Latin Archdiocese Vicar General Fr. Eugene Perera told the media.</p>.<p>All the political parties in the state were trying to cosy up to the church, which has a pretty much influential electorate in the state.</p>.<p>"The specialty of our country is that people from various religions live together in a peaceful manner. We want everyone here to continue living peacefully, have equal rights and feel safe and secure," Thattil said.</p>.<p>The voting will conclude at 6 pm and the results will be out on June 4. </p>