New Delhi, Apr 9 (TNT): Polling for Assembly elections in Kerala, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry commenced on Thursday amid tight security arrangements and elaborate logistical preparations across all polling stations.
Voting began at 7:00 AM and will continue till 6:00 PM.
Around 5.3 crore voters are eligible to decide the fate of candidates contesting in the two states and one Union Territory.
The single-phase elections are being held for 140 Assembly seats in Kerala, 126 in Assam and 30 in Puducherry.
The counting of votes for all three regions will take place on May 4.
Authorities have put in place extensive security measures, webcasting facilities and special logistical arrangements** to ensure smooth and peaceful polling.
In Assam, the BJP-led NDA is aiming for a third consecutive term, while the Congress-led opposition, spearheaded by Gaurav Gogoi, is attempting to regain power after a decade.
Regional parties including AIUDF, Raijor Dal and Assam Jatiya Parishad are also expected to influence results in select constituencies.
The northeastern state has around 2.5 crore voters, including over 1.25 crore women voters, besides first-time voters, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Voting is being conducted across 31,490 polling stations.
In Kerala, the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is seeking a rare third straight term, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is banking on anti-incumbency sentiment and governance concerns to stage a comeback.
The BJP-led NDA is also looking to expand its footprint in the state.
Kerala’s electorate of nearly 2.7 crore voters , with 1.4 crore women voters , will determine the political future of the state.
In Puducherry, a multi-cornered contest is underway among the NDA, the Congress-DMK alliance, and actor Vijay’s newly formed political outfit Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
Around 9.5 lakh voters will decide the fate of 294 candidates contesting across 1,099 polling stations spread over Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.
Special facilities for senior citizens and differently-abled voters, drone surveillance and enhanced security deployment have been arranged to facilitate smooth polling.
TNT KS
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