Assembly elections: Kerala, Assam, Puducherry record higher turnout than 2021

NEW DELHI: Kerala, Puducherry and Assam recorded higher voter turnout on Thursday compared to the 2021 assembly elections, according to data released by the Election Commission.Puducherry reported the highest turnout at 89.20%, up from about 82.2% in 2021. Assam followed with 85.10%, compared to 82.04% last time. Kerala recorded a turnout of 77.50%, slightly higher than around 76% in the previous election. Voting was held for 126 seats in Assam, 140 in Kerala, and 30 in Puducherry. After polling ended, officials sealed the electronic voting machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units at the booths. Counting of votes for all three regions will take place on May 4.In Kerala, over 2.6 crore voters were eligible to vote across 140 constituencies, with 883 candidates in the fray. The state had 1,38,27,319 women voters, 1,31,26,048 male voters, and 277 third-gender voters. Around 4,24,518 voters were in the 18–19 age group, while 2,04,608 were aged 85 and above. A total of 30,471 polling stations were set up.The contest in Kerala is mainly between the CPI(M)-led LDF, which has been in power for the past decade, and the UDF, which is trying to unseat it. The BJP is also in the fray and is challenging both fronts.In Assam, more than 2.5 crore voters were eligible to vote for the 126-member assembly, with 722 candidates contesting. The electorate included 1,25,31,552 male voters, 1,25,22,593 female voters, and 318 transgender voters. The main contest in the state is between the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led alliance.In Puducherry, 10,14,070 voters were eligible to cast their votes for 30 assembly seats. The electorate included 5,39,125 women, 4,74,788 men, and 157 third-gender voters. A total of 24,156 voters were in the 18–19 age group.The ruling NDA, comprising the All India NR Congress and the BJP, is facing a challenge from the Congress-DMK alliance. Actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is also in the fray, making the contest triangular.