Kerala, Assam, Puducherry head to polls: 1,899 candidates' fate hangs in balance
Voters are casting their ballots for the assembly elections in these three states, with results expected on May 4
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Voting for the assembly elections in Kerala, Assam and Puducherry is underway since 7 am. Voting is being held for 126 assembly seats in Assam, 140 seats in Kerala and 30 seats in Puducherry. Voting will take place from 7 am to 5 pm and the results will be declared on May 4. Voters were seen standing in queues outside polling stations on Thursday morning to cast their votes in these assembly elections being held in a single phase.
There are 883 candidates in the fray in Kerala, meaning an average of six to seven candidates are contesting per seat. However, the entry of rebels and independent candidates has turned many constituencies into contested battlegrounds. The number of voters is 27 lakh, spread across more than 30,000 polling stations. The Union Territory of Puducherry, comprising four regions – Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam, has a total of more than 9.50 lakh voters. Of these, 24,919 voters will vote for the first time. A total of 294 candidates are in the fray.
A total of 722 candidates, including 59 women, are contesting the Assam Assembly elections. Assam has approximately 25.05 million registered voters who are eligible to participate in these elections. The state has set up 31,490 polling stations to facilitate the voting process. This election is crucial for the 126-member Assam Assembly, in which the BJP is seeking to retain power, while the Congress hopes to return to power. This election will be the first after the delimitation exercise in the northeastern state in 2023.
The elections for Kerala's 140 assembly seats are contested by three coalitions: the LDF, UDF, and NDA. Kerala's Left Front is aiming for a fifth consecutive term in power. However, this time, the CPI(M)-led LDF faces the challenge of retaining power, as it faces stiff competition from the Congress-led UDF and the BJP-led NDA.
Voting is underway for 30 seats in Puducherry. The union territory is currently ruled by a coalition led by the All India NR Congress (AINRC), led by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, and supported by the BJP.