Voter Turnout in Assam Nears 60%, Puducherry Reaches 56.83%
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, April 9 (NationPress) As of 1 p.m. on Thursday, the voter turnout for the Assam Assembly elections has reached 59.63 percent, while Puducherry has recorded 56.83 percent, as per the latest data from the Election Commission of India (ECI).
In the meantime, Kerala's Assembly elections have gained significant traction, with nearly 50 percent of the state's 2.71 crore electorate having cast their votes by 1 p.m. This surge in participation raises expectations that the final turnout may potentially break existing records, currently standing at 49.70 percent.
The polling for these crucial Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry started at 7 a.m. earlier today.
Voting is in progress for 126 Assembly seats in Assam, 140 in Kerala, and 30 in Puducherry. Results are scheduled to be revealed on May 4.
In Kerala, approximately 2.71 crore voters will decide the future governance of the state. Even before sunrise, the electoral setup was operational. By 5:30 a.m., all 30,471 polling booths had been activated, with officials beginning the necessary mock polling processes.
Significantly, around two lakh voters have already participated in home voting.
As the campaigning phase came to an end, candidates from all sides made a last-minute effort to engage with overlooked voters and key influencers, signifying the high stakes and intense anticipation surrounding this election.
In Assam, the contest is mainly between the BJP and Congress. The ruling BJP is striving for a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to reclaim power after losing it in 2016.
Voting commenced in a single phase at 7 a.m. and will continue until 5 p.m.. Long queues of voters were observed outside polling stations from the early hours. The term for Assam's 126-member Assembly will conclude on May 20.
Polling in the Union Territory of Puducherry began smoothly on Thursday morning, with voters consistently arriving at booths to elect members for the 30-member Assembly.
This election is particularly noteworthy as the Union Territory is currently managed by a coalition under the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC), led by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, with the backing of the BJP.
A fierce contest is anticipated, with all major political parties competing for dominance. Chief Electoral Officer P. Jawahar stated that the administration has implemented extensive preparations to ensure a transparent and fair election.