New Delhi: Voting for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry concluded on Thursday with strong voter participation, as all three regions recorded higher turnout compared to previous elections.
Puducherry registered the highest voter turnout at over 89 per cent, followed by Assam at around 85 per cent and Kerala at nearly 78 per cent, according to official data. Polling was held for 126 seats in Assam, 140 seats in Kerala and 30 seats in Puducherry.
In Assam, the turnout of over 85 per cent surpassed the 82.04 per cent recorded in the 2021 Assembly elections. The polls, conducted in a single phase across 35 districts and over 31,000 polling stations, witnessed a largely direct contest between the BJP-led NDA, which is seeking a third consecutive term, and the Congress-led opposition.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma cast his vote in Jalukbari, while Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi voted in Jorhat and urged people to participate in large numbers. He later said the high turnout reflected a desire for change and called for secure handling of EVMs ahead of counting.
However, the polling day in Assam was not without incidents. Around 30 people were reported injured in poll-related violence, while seven individuals were arrested. Authorities also initiated an inquiry into a viral video allegedly showing voting inside a polling station, with an FIR registered under provisions of the Representation of the People Act.
In Kerala, voting across all 140 constituencies concluded smoothly, with a turnout slightly higher than the previous election. Voters who were in queues at polling stations by the 6 pm deadline were allowed to cast their ballots, as per Election Commission norms.
Puducherry also witnessed brisk polling across its 30 constituencies, with turnout crossing 89 per cent. The contest in the Union Territory is primarily between the ruling NDA alliance and the Congress-led opposition.
Polling was also held for by-elections in parts of Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura, where voter turnout ranged between around 68 per cent and 82 per cent.
Counting of votes for these Assembly elections will be taken up on May 4.
