Voters turned out in large numbers in the crucial assembly elections in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry on Thursday. According to the Election Commission data at 5 pm, the voting rate is highest in Puducherry with 86.92 per cent, followed by Assam with 84.42 per cent and Kerala with 75.01 per cent.
Several prominent leaders, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, were among the early voters. Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangaswami also cast his vote, maintaining his old tradition of going to the polling booth on a motorcycle.
Voting is taking place for 126 seats in Assam, 140 seats in Kerala and 30 seats in Puducherry. Counting of votes will take place on May 4.
Over 26 lakh voters are eligible to decide the fate of 883 candidates in 140 constituencies in Kerala. Of the 2,69,53,644 voters registered across the state, 1,38,27,319 are female voters and the number of male voters is 1,31,26,048. Officials said there are 277 third gender voters in the state.
About 4,24,518 voters are in the 18-19 age group, while 2,04,608 voters are 85 years of age and above. A total of 30,471 polling stations have been set up to ensure safe voting.
More than 25 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise for the 126-member assembly in Assam. 722 candidates are in the fray in the elections. Out of 2,50,54,463 voters, 1,25,31,552 are male voters and 1,25,22,593 are female voters. These include 318 transgender voters and 63,423 service personnel voters.
Of the voters, 6,42,314 voters are in the age group of 18-19 years, 2,50,006 voters are above 80 years of age and 2,05,085 voters are disabled.
A release said that webcasting arrangements have been made as per the instructions of the Commission to strengthen the monitoring mechanism. Webcasting has been started at all 31,490 polling stations, including 31,486 main polling stations and four auxiliary polling stations. A total of 1,51,132 polling personnel have been deployed to conduct the elections.
41,320 ballot boxes, 43,975 control units and 43,997 VVPAT machines, including units reserved for emergency use, have been provided for voting. Additional polling personnel have also been kept ready if required.
10,14,070 voters are eligible to vote for 30 assembly seats in Puducherry. These include 5,39,125 female voters, 4,74,788 male voters and 157 voters of the third gender category. Of the total voters, 24,156 voters are in the age group of 18-19 years.
