New Delhi, April 9, IPU Media Update News : Polling for the Assembly elections in the states of Kerala and Assam, as well as the Union Territory of Puducherry, commenced today(Thursday) April 9,at 7:00 AM. Having begun at 7:00 AM, the polling is scheduled to continue until 6:00 PM.

In Kerala, polling is being held today for 140 seats. A fierce battle is currently unfolding here between the UDF and the Left Democratic Front alliances. In the previous elections, the Left Democratic Front secured victory in 99 seats and assumed power, while the United Democratic Front won 41 seats. The Congress party was relegated to the status of the principal opposition party.

In Puducherry, polling is being conducted today for 23 seats in the Puducherry district, 5 seats in Karaikal, and one seat each in Mahe and Yanam. A total of 294 candidates are contesting for these 30 Assembly seats. Among them, 34 candidates belong to national political parties. In the previous elections, the alliance between the All India N.R. Congress and the BJP achieved a resounding victory,S. Rangasamy, the founder of the All India N.R. Congress, assumed office as the Chief Minister. This time as well, these two parties have formed an alliance and entered the electoral fray. Contesting against this alliance, the Congress and DMK parties have joined hands.

As for Assam, polling is being held today for a total of 126 seats. In the previous elections, the NDA alliance secured a majority and assumed power. Himanta Biswa Sarma took charge as Chief Minister on behalf of the BJP. This time as well, the BJP is entering the electoral fray as an alliance, together with its coalition partners. In this state, the contest lies between the NDA and INDIA alliances. While polling is taking place today in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, the election results are scheduled to be announced on May 4th.

— M Venkata T Reddy