In a major announcement from New Delhi, the Election Commission of India has unveiled the schedule for assembly elections in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar made the revelation during a press conference on Sunday, outlining a streamlined voting process across these regions.
Kerala and Puducherry will head to the polls on a single day, April 9, in a unified first and only phase. Tamil Nadu, however, will cast its votes a couple of weeks later on April 23. All three areas will see vote counting on May 4, ensuring a synchronized result day that keeps the nation on edge.
The Commission is pulling out all stops with full webcasting at every polling station, promising unprecedented transparency. Kerala’s 140 seats, Tamil Nadu’s expansive 234, and Puducherry’s 30 will all be up for grabs next month. Preparations are in full swing, with meticulous planning to handle massive turnouts.
Breaking down the voter numbers paints a vivid picture of democratic fervor. Kerala boasts 2.70 crore voters, including 1.31 crore men, 1.38 crore women, and 277 third-gender voters. The youth brigade, aged 20-29, numbers 45 lakh, while first-timers aged 18-19 stand at 4.24 lakh.
Puducherry’s electorate totals 9.44 lakh, with 4.43 lakh men, 5 lakh women, and 139 third-gender individuals. Tamil Nadu leads with 5.67 crore voters—2.77 crore men, 2.89 crore women, and 7,617 third-gender voters.
Interestingly, the announcement also touched on West Bengal’s voter base of 6.44 crore, highlighting 5.23 lakh first-time voters, 1.31 crore in the 20-29 bracket, 3.79 lakh seniors over 85, and 4.16 lakh differently-abled voters. Awareness drives on EVMs are underway to boost confidence.
Meanwhile, Assam’s 126 assembly seats gear up for polling on April 9 in one phase, with key dates including gazette notification on March 16, nominations closing March 23, scrutiny on March 24, withdrawal deadline March 26, and counting on May 4. These elections promise high-stakes battles as parties gear up for power.