Voters across Assam, Kerala and Puducherry turned out in large numbers on Thursday for the Assembly elections, with polling witnessing strong participation across all three regions. According to Election Commission data at 5 pm, Puducherry recorded the highest turnout at 86.92 per cent, followed by Assam at 84.42 per cent and Kerala at 75.01 per cent. Counting of votes will take place on May 4.
Kerala: Polling Concludes For 140 Seats
Polling for all 140 Assembly constituencies in Kerala concluded at 6 pm, with voters still seen queued outside several polling stations. Those present at booths were issued tokens and will be allowed to vote, PTI reported.
The state recorded a voter turnout of 75.01 per cent till 5 pm, slightly higher than the turnout in the 2021 Assembly elections. Over 2.69 crore electors are eligible to decide the fate of 883 candidates across 140 constituencies.
Assam: High Participation In 126-Seat Contest
In Assam, polling was held for 126 Assembly seats, with more than 2.5 crore electors eligible to vote. The state recorded a turnout of 84.42 per cent by 5 pm.
A total of 722 candidates are in the fray. Extensive arrangements were made, including webcasting across 31,490 polling stations and deployment of 1,51,132 polling personnel.
Puducherry: Leaders Cast Votes, Turnout Highest
Puducherry recorded the highest turnout among the three at 86.92 per cent by 5 pm, with polling held for 30 Assembly seats. A total of 10,14,070 electors are eligible to vote.
Congress State President and Thattanchavady candidate V. Vaithilingam cast his vote and expressed confidence in his party’s prospects.
“Today's polling has been favourable, particularly for Congress. The DMK alliance is also performing well. We are confident that we will form the government on 4 May,” he told ANI.
Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan also voted, urging citizens to fulfil their “primary duty”. “It is the primary duty of every citizen to cast a vote in elections. I request all the citizens to cast their vote,” he said.
Chief Minister N Rangaswamy cast his vote, continuing his long-standing practice of riding his motorcycle to the polling booth.
“In both constituencies, I will win. More than numbers, forming the government is important to me,” he said.
The electoral contest in Puducherry involves the NDA, comprising the AINRC, BJP, AIADMK and LJK, and the Congress-DMK alliance, with actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam also in the fray.
