New Delhi, April 8, IPU Media Update News: The fiercely contested election campaign in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry concluded on Tuesday evening at 5:00 PM. With elections for the legislative assemblies of these states scheduled for April 9 (Thursday), leaders from both ruling and opposition parties made their final efforts to woo voters. Several prominent leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and BJP Chief Nitin Nabin participated in election rallies and public meetings across these states, intensifying the campaign fervor.
✪☛ On April 9, elections will be held in a single phase for 126 Assembly seats in Assam, 140 Assembly seats in Kerala, and 30 Assembly seats in the Union Territory of Puducherry.
★ Kerala :
Kerala comprises 140 Assembly seats; in the previous elections, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) secured victory in 99 seats and assumed power. The United Democratic Front (UDF) won 41 seats. In Kerala, the incumbent LDF is appealing to voters to grant them an opportunity to govern for a third consecutive term.
In the 2021 Kerala Assembly elections, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) alliance achieved a resounding victory. An LDF government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, was subsequently formed. In the state of Kerala, there is a total of 2.71 crore voters, comprising 1.32 crore men, 1.39 crore women, and 273 transgender individuals. Additionally, the Election Commission (EC) stated that there are over 2.42 lakh overseas voters. Meanwhile, the electoral contest in these elections is primarily centered around the LDF, UDF, and NDA alliances.
★ Assam :
With polling scheduled to take place in Assam on April 9, the fate of 722 candidates contesting across a total of 126 seats will be decided. Unlike previous elections which were held in multiple phases, polling in Assam this time will be conducted in a single phase. According to the Election Commission of India, 2,49,58,139 voters are eligible to cast their votes in the Assam Legislative Assembly elections. This includes 1,24,82,213 men, 1,24,75,583 women, and 343 third-gender voters. In the 2021 Assam Assembly elections (covering a total of 126 seats), the BJP-led NDA alliance won 75 seats, thereby retaining power for a second consecutive term. The Congress-led Mahajot alliance secured 50 seats, while other parties won 1 seat.
★ Puducherry :
In the Union Territory of Puducherry, election campaigning by the major political parties proceeded with great intensity. A total of 294 candidates are in the fray for the 30 seats in Puducherry. The contest is primarily between the NDA and the INDIA alliance. The Legislative Assembly comprises a total of thirty seats, covering the regions of Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam. In the 2021 Puducherry Assembly elections, out of the total 30 seats, the NDA alliance led by N. Rangasamy (comprising AINRC, BJP, and AIADMK) won 16 seats and formed the government. The DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) secured 6 seats; the INC (Congress) won 2 seats; and Independents/Others secured 6 seats.
The total electorate here stands at 948,977 voters, comprising 445,761 men, 503,076 women, and 140 transgender individuals.
— M Venkata T Reddy, News Editor and Investigative Journalist
