New Delhi, 08 April (H.S.):

Single-phase assembly elections will occur tomorrow (April 9) across Assam (126 seats), Kerala (140 seats), and Puducherry (30 seats), with the Election Commission and local authorities confirming comprehensive preparations for peaceful, fair, and transparent voting.

Assam features 25,054,463 voters (12.53M men, 12.52M women, 318 third gender; 575K first-time 18-19-year-olds) and 722 candidates; majority mark is 64. Kerala has 27.1M voters (13.2M men, 13.9M women, 273 third gender) and 890 candidates in a triangular contest; needs 71 seats.

Puducherry: 944K voters (443K

men, 500K women, 139 third gender), 294 candidates (34 national, 63 state parties); 16-seat majority, 5 SC-reserved.

Security and Logistics

Assam's 31,490 stations (all webcast live) deploy 151,132 staff, 41,320 ballot units, 43,975 control units, 44K VVPATs (reserves included); CAPF (CRPF) secures sensitive sites. Micro-observers and central observers oversee law/order, expenditure. Postal ballots aid seniors (85+) and disabled voters.

Kerala: 30,495 stations (7 AM-6 PM). Puducherry: 1,099 stations, GPS vehicles transport EVMs/staff with police escort; post-poll EVMs sealed under CCTV, triple security to counting centers May 4.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar