Election Fever Hit Kerala, Assam, Puducherry as Voters Queue Up

Today na big day for democracy for three places wey dey India. As early as 7am, voters for Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry don begin line up for polling stations to cast their vote for 2026 assembly elections. The voting go dey from morning till 6pm, and na single phase for all the states and union territory. Election Commission don arrange security well-well, and EVM machines don reach all the polling units.

For Kerala, na serious contest dey ground. Over 2.71 crore registered voters go decide who go win the 140 seats for the state assembly. The main contenders na the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) wey Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan dey lead, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Total candidates wey dey run reach 883.

Early morning, big politicians don show face. CM Pinarayi Vijayan and him family vote for Kannur around 8am. Him talk say LDF no go lose to any “false propaganda” and say dem trust the people. Opposition leader V D Satheesan and him family vote for Kesari Government Arts and Science College. Union Minister Suresh Gopi reach polling booth for Guruvayoor by 6:30am and wait for queue.

BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar talk say him party dey seek opportunity from voters to bring development for Kerala. Congress MP Hibi Eden yarn say UDF go win landslide victory and remove “corrupt Pinarayi government.” Kerala Congress president Sunny Joseph dey confident say UDF go win over 100 seats.

For Assam, over 2.50 crore voters go decide 126 assembly seats. Total candidates na 722. BJP-led NDA dey try to win third term. MoS MEA Pabitra Margherita vote for Jorhat and appeal to people to come out vote for strong democracy. But Congress general secretary KC Venugopal attack Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, call am “arrogant” and “most corrupt chief minister.” Him talk say people of Assam go teach Sarma lesson today.

Puducherry election dey hot too. For the 30-member assembly, over 10 lakh voters go decide. Chief Minister N Rangaswamy, wey be AINRC candidate, leave house on bike to go vote. NDA alliance (AINRC, BJP, AIADMK, LJK) dey try retain “double engine” government. INDIA bloc (Congress, DMK, VCK) dey challenge dem strong. Actor Vijay new party TVK don enter as third force.

By 9am, voter turnout don show early interest. Puducherry record 17.41%, Kerala get 16.23% with Ernakulam highest at 17.8% and Kasaragod lowest at 15.08%, while Assam record 17.87%. Counting of votes go hold on May 4.

Meanwhile, by-elections dey hold for some constituencies for Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura today. PM Modi don appeal to voters for all the states to come out en masse. Him talk say record participation go give energy to democratic ethos.

As voters dey exercise their rights, international matter dey affect market. Indian stock market open flat to slightly negative today because of tension between Iran and US. Sensex fall 818.62 points to 76,744.28, Nifty 50 drop 201.55 points to 23,795.80 by 10:01am. Analysts say attention dey turn to Q4 earnings now.

For Middle East, ceasefire truce between US and Iran dey fragile. Iran close Strait of Hormuz again after Israeli strikes on Lebanon. Israel intensify attacks on Hezbollah for Lebanon, kill over 250 people for one of the deadliest days. US President Donald Trump order all military assets for Gulf to remain until “real agreement” reach. UN condemn Israeli attacks on Lebanon, say civilians dey bear brunt.

Back to India, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority welcome India-flagged LPG vessel Green Asha wey successfully cross Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan declare two-day holiday for Islamabad as dem prepare host ceasefire talks between US and Iran on Friday.

For Oklahoma, USA, Highway Patrol dey ask public help identify truck wey possibly connected to crash on Interstate 32 wey kill three people Wednesday. Trooper Vernon Brake, 36-year-old Mercedes Bayne, and 4-year-old child inside Bayne vehicle die after trying avoid debris on road.