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New Delhi: Voting for the assembly elections in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry began at 7 am today, where the fight for power between political parties has intensified. Voters in all three states are exercising their franchise with enthusiasm, while the administration has made elaborate arrangements for fair and peaceful voting.

To keep the voting process smooth, tight security arrangements, webcasting and special facilities have been made available for voters. Voting will continue till 6 pm, after which all eyes will be on the results.

Direct contest between NDA vs opposition alliance in Assam

The electoral contest in Assam is centered between the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led opposition alliance. NDA includes Assam Gana Parishad (AGP) and other regional parties along with BJP, while the opposition front includes parties like AIUDF and Raijor Dal along with Congress, due to which a multi-cornered contest is being seen on many seats.

A total of 722 candidates are in the fray for the 126-member assembly and more than 2.5 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes at 31,490 polling stations.

Sarma vs Gogoi: Big fight for power

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is trying to secure a third consecutive victory for the BJP, while the Congress under the leadership of Gaurav Gogoi is dreaming of returning to power in the state.

During the election campaign, issues to identity politics and governance remained at the center. Controversy also emerged regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, in which the opposition made allegations of disenfranchisement.

The issue of illegal infiltration was also in the news, where BJP made it a major election issue, while the opposition accused the ruling party of polarization.

Eyes set on key seats

Chief Minister Sarma is trying to register victory for the sixth time on Jalukbari seat. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha MP from Jorhat seat Gaurav Gogoi is contesting the assembly elections for the first time.

Apart from this, parties like Badruddin Ajmal’s AIUDF, Akhil Gogoi’s Raijor Dal and Assam Jatiya Parishad are also making the contest interesting in many areas.

Traditional bipolar combat in Kerala

883 candidates are in the fray for 140 seats in Kerala and 2.71 crore voters will decide the election results. The contest here is between the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).

LDF is trying to return to power for the third consecutive time, while UDF is cornering the government on issues like unemployment, inflation and financial mismanagement.

Everyone’s eyes on big personalities

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is contesting from Dharmadam seat in Kannur, which is considered a CPI(M) stronghold. Opposition leader V.D. Satheeshan is trying to retain his hold on Paravur seat.

There is also special attention on Nemom seat, where BJP leader Rajiv Chandrashekhar is in the fray. Whereas KK Shailaja has been fielded from Peravur seat, which has traditionally been a stronghold of Congress.

Special arrangements for voting

30,495 polling stations have been set up in Kerala, where 1.46 lakh officers and 76,000 security personnel are deployed. In view of the heat, water, fans and other facilities have been made available to the voters.

Sound of triangular contest in Puducherry

Nearly 9.5 lakh voters will decide the fate of 294 candidates on 30 assembly seats in Puducherry. Here the contest between the NDA alliance, Congress-DMK led India Bloc and actor Vijay’s party TVK has become interesting.

Chief Minister N Rangasamy is contesting from two seats – Thattanchavady and Mangalam – and is trying to retain power.

Strict security arrangements and monitoring

The administration has declared more than 200 polling stations as sensitive. Drones are being used to keep an eye on matters like cash and liquor distribution.

Along with polling stations run by women, special facilities have also been provided for elderly and disabled voters.

By-election and result date

Along with these elections, by-elections are also being held on five assembly seats of Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura, which have become necessary due to the death of sitting MLAs.

More than three crore voters combined in all three states will exercise their franchise. Election results will be declared on May 4.