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Kerala Assembly Elections
Kerala's voter turnout in the April 9 Assembly elections has tentatively risen to 79.70 per cent after the inclusion of service voters' postal ballots, CEO Rathan U Kelkar said on Sunday. Addressing a press conference here, Kelkar also outlined elaborate arrangements for the counting of votes scheduled for Monday. He said the polling percentage for the Assembly election was 79.63 per cent, excluding postal ballots of service voters. The chief electoral officer said 53,984 postal ballots had been issued to service voters, of which 20,028 had been received as of May 1. "Service voters can submit postal ballots till before counting begins. We have directed the postal department that postal ballots received from service voters, including on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, should be handed over to the returning officers without delay," he said. He said the receipt of service voters' postal ballots had increased the polling percentage by 0.07 percentage points. "The present voting ..
The Election Commission on Tuesday issued clear directions to all District Election Officers and Returning Officers in Kerala not to open any strong rooms under any circumstances before the day the votes are counted. The direction was issued by Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar following reports of a strong room storing EVMs in Perambra constituency in Kozhikode being opened on Monday, and reported plans to open another one in Nenmara constituency in Palakkad. "It has been reiterated that under no circumstances shall any strong rooms or unsealed rooms be opened or accessed for the purpose of preparing Index Cards or verifying data in the ENCORE portal. "All concerned officers have been directed to ensure strict compliance with these instructions to safeguard the integrity, transparency, and security of the electoral process," a statement issued by Kelkar's office said. On Monday, the Kozhikode district administration had clarified that no strong room was opened. Colle
Assam and Puducherry surpassed their highest-ever poll-participation on Thursday by recording 85.38 per cent and 89.83 per cent respectively, the Election Commission said. Previously, the highest poll participation in Assam and Puducherry was 84.67 per cent (2016 assembly polls) and 86.19 per cent (2011 assembly polls) respectively, the poll authority noted. In Kerala, Assam and Puducherry, where assembly polls were held on Thursday, women voters outdid their male counterparts by lining up at voting centres. In Assam, while male participation stood at 84.80 per cent, female voter turnout was recorded at 85.96 per cent. Similarly in Kerala, the male poll participation was 75.01 per cent, while it was 80.86 per cent for women. In the Union Territory of Puducherry, 88.09 per cent of the male electors voted as compared to 91.33 per cent of the women. A total of 296 assembly constituencies in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry with a total electorate of over 5.31 crore went to polls, along
Over 78 per cent of Kerala's voters on Thursday queued up across polling stations in 140 Assembly segments to elect the next government, with the state closing in towards its second best voter turnout in the process. The strong turnout will decide whether the ruling LDF secures a straight third term, the UDF makes a comeback, or the BJP springs a surprise in an otherwise bipolar contest. The polling process was largely peaceful, with only minor technical issues reported at a few locations. According to the figures released after 8 pm, 78.12 per cent of the 2.71 crore voters had cast their votes, and this is higher than the 74.06 per cent polling recorded in the 2021 Assembly elections. In the 1987 polls, the state registered 80.54 per cent polling. The highest-ever recorded turnout in the state during Assembly elections is 85.72 per cent in 1960, according to PIB data. Officials said the final turnout is expected to rise further as late voters in queues are counted. If the trend
The EC on Wednesday noted that political advertisements were appearing on channels and online platforms on the eve of the April 9 Kerala Assembly polls and sought that they be removed immediately. The instruction was circulated by the EC's Kerala office in an official WhatsApp group comprising media groups and journalists. "Advertisements are appearing on channels and online platforms. This is not permitted during the silence period. It is requested that these be withdrawn immediately," the message said. According to the EC, campaigning through public meetings, rallies, media interactions and election-related interviews was strictly prohibited during the silence period to ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders. It has also directed that no person shall display to the public any 'election matter' by means of cinematograph, television or other similar apparatus, including radio, during the 48 hours ending with the conclusion of the poll. The 'election matter' will include
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday alleged that the CPI(M)-led front has struck a "deal" with the BJP for April 9 Assembly polls in Kerala. She also accused the ruling LDF of "compromising" on ideology, accountability, and responsibility in order to remain in power for 10 years. The Wayanad MP was addressing a corner meeting in Peravoor in this northern district as part of the campaign for the Assembly polls. The LDF chose to make a deal with the BJP, who "harasses" the minorities, especially the Christian community and their nuns, she claimed. Despite the massive theft in Sabarimala, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose not to utter a single word against it, Vadra alleged, and pointed it out as evidence for the deal. When anyone raises a voice against the PM, they are faced with CBI, ED or income tax cases. There is no such single case against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, she claimed. She further charged that a sense of arrogance had crept into the LDF ...
As the Kerala Assembly polls campaign enters its final phase, the ruling LDF on Monday released its progress report, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan claiming that around 97 per cent of the promises made in 2021 have been fulfilled. Releasing the report at a press conference here, Vijayan said that people have the right to know the extent to which election promises have been implemented. Respecting that right, the LDF government has, since 2016, presented an annual progress report to the public. "We believe that providing an account as a government is a responsibility. This report briefly summarises the progress of the fifth year of the government that assumed office in 2021," he said. Vijayan, who leads the LDF campaign for the April 9 polls, stated that in 2021, 900 promises were placed before the people in the manifesto. "Of these, approximately 97 per cent of the promises have already been fulfilled or have reached an effective stage of implementation," he added. Kerala w
Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah on Monday hoisted the party flag at the BJP Kerala State Committee office here to mark the party's 47th Foundation Day. The programme, held at Mararji Bhavan, was attended by party workers and leaders. Shah, who is on a visit to the state as part of the election campaign, arrived in the capital on Sunday. He addressed a public meeting in the Kattakkada constituency. He is scheduled to hold a roadshow later in the day in the Harippad constituency in Alappuzha. Elections to 140 Assembly seats in Kerala will be held on April 9.
The Election Commission has directed all political parties and candidates contesting in the Kerala Assembly polls on April 9, not to publish any advertisements in print media, on polling day and its eve, without getting the contents pre-certified by the MCMC committee. The directive, issued by Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar late Friday night, stated that offending, misleading, or inflammatory advertisements published in print media during the final stages of an election can vitiate the entire electoral process. "At such a critical juncture, affected parties and candidates often lack the opportunity to provide necessary rebuttals," it said. Therefore, exercising the powers under Article 324 of the Constitution, the EC directed that no political party, candidate, organisation, or person shall publish any advertisement in print media on April 8 and 9 unless the contents are got pre-certified from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) at the state or ..
Top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday targeted the ruling LDF in Kerala and the BJP, alleging that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is in a partnership with people who "attack minorities" in other parts of the country. Addressing an election gathering here, Gandhi reiterated his allegation of a BJPLDF understanding and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not speaking about the Sabarimala issue during the election campaign. Referring to former CPI(M) leader G Sudhakaran, who shared the stage with the Congress leader, Gandhi said his presence reflected a deeper shift within the CPI(M)-led LDF. Sudhakaran is contesting as an Independent with UDF support from Ambalapuzha. "We have a senior Left leader on the stage. There is a reason he is sitting here. It is not that he has suddenly changed his thinking. People who spend many years in a political organisation absorb its values. He is not here out of opportunism. He is here because something fundamental has happened to the LD
For 81-year-old Krishnamma, the high-stakes April 9 Kerala Assembly elections boils down to a single, urgent question. When party workers arrived at the doorstep of her modest, tile-roofed home in the hill hamlet of Vithura to seek a vote, she didn't want to hear about manifestos or political rivalries. Instead, she looked at them and asked, "When will I get my next pension payment?" For thousands like her, the election is not just about politics, it is about survival, dignity and the assurance of care in the twilight years. In a state often celebrated for its human development indicators, a silent demographic shift is underway, with Kerala's ageing population currently at 16.5 per cent -- the highest in the country -- and senior citizens forming a significant, powerful voting bloc. The issues of elderly people are quite different from the voters of other age groups, as they want consistent disbursal of monthly pensions, medical facilities at their doorsteps and constructive means o
A person has been taken into custody after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's gunman and driver were allegedly attacked by a five-member group at Wandoor here, police said on Saturday. According to Wandoor Police, a case has been registered, and one person is currently in custody. Police said the case was registered based on a complaint lodged by Tharoor's gunman, Ratheesh K P. As per the FIR, the incident occurred at Chellithode near Thiruvali in Wandoor at around 7.30 pm on Friday. Police officials said the incident took place when there was a roadblock at the Chelithode bridge as Tharoor was on his way to attend an election campaign event of Congress leader A P Anilkumar. According to the FIR, the accused, who were travelling in two vehicles, blocked the MP's vehicle. When the gunman attempted to clear the obstruction, he and the driver were allegedly attacked, the FIR said. Police said the road was narrow and the gunman had only asked the vehicle ahead to move faster to ensure smo