India election: Assam turnout 59%, Kerala 50%, Puducherry 56%

Voting has begun across key Indian regions, with turnout gaining momentum in Assam while Kerala remains slightly behind in the current phase of elections.

On Thursday, polling opened for high-stakes contests in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, setting the tone for a competitive electoral round.

The vote covers 126 seats in Assam, 140 in Kerala and 30 in Puducherry in this phase, with results due on May 4.

In Assam, the main contest is between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress. This is the first election since the 2023 delimitation process, which redrew constituencies in areas where Muslim voters held significant influence, a move that drew political scrutiny.

Kerala is shaping into a three-way contest involving the BJP, the ruling Left Front and the Congress, with expectations that the BJP may improve its performance even as the Left aims for a fifth straight term.

In Puducherry, N Rangaswamy’s All India NR Congress, backed by the BJP and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, faces the Congress-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam alliance.

Actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is making its electoral debut, adding a fresh dynamic to the race.

By 1pm, voter turnout had reached 59.6 per cent in Assam, while Kerala recorded 47.3 per cent. Puducherry reported 56.8 per cent turnout, reflecting varied participation levels across regions.