Polls test South Korea mood after ferry disaster

South Koreans are electing mayors, provincial governors and local officials

South Koreans have voted in local polls seen as a test of government's standing amid severe criticism of its handling of the recent ferry disaster.

President Park Geun-hye's popularity has fallen sharply since the April sinking, which left more than 300 people - mostly school children - dead.

The incident has sparked anger over perceived incompetence and negligence.

Entrenched regional voting patterns however are likely to forestall any major shift in South Korean politics.

The Sewol ferry, carrying 476 people, sank on 16 April off the south coast of South Korea.

Investigators say it was overloaded, while both the crew and coast guard have come under fire for their failure to rescue more passengers.

Out of the 476 people on the South Korean ferry, only 172 survived

The local elections are held every four years, with almost 4,000 municipal posts contested.

Exit polls showed both the ruling party and the main opposition party on course to win five of the 17 key mayoral and provincial governor posts, with the others too close to call.

Official results are expected late on Wednesday.

These polls are being presented by media and politicians as a referendum on the ruling Saenuri Party and its handling of the ferry disaster, reports the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Seoul.

Ms Park has already apologised for the disaster and promised reforms, but anger at alleged mismanagement by the rescue services and the ferry company has seen her approval ratings drop below 50%.

The poll - though it has no impact on national politics - is being watched for signs of real political fall-out, our correspondent adds.

"Having seen the lax response to the Sewol incident by the government, I'm giving the opposition a chance this time as a way to reproach the government," 23-year-old Kim Soo-hyun told Reuters news agency in the capital, Seoul.

Divers are still searching the ferry's sunken hull for the bodies of 16 people still missing.

Meanwhile, the ship's captain and three other crew members have been charged with manslaughter. Several ferry company officials have also been arrested.