Kerala Assembly Polls Hit 79.63% Turnout Since 1987

Kerala recorded a provisional voter turnout of 79.63 percent in its Assembly elections held on April 9, marking the highest participation since 1987 and signaling intense competition among the ruling Left Democratic Front, the opposition United Democratic Front, and the emerging National Democratic Alliance. The polls covered 140 constituencies, with results scheduled for declaration on May 4.

Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar announced the updated figure on Monday, incorporating 368,193 postal ballots that accounted for 1.36 percent of the electorate. This revision came after an initial report of 78.27 percent on polling day, with further adjustments expected on counting day to include electronic ballots from 53,984 service voters. Women led the turnout at 80.86 percent, compared to 75.19 percent for men and 53.04 percent for transgender voters. High participation in special categories underscored the process: 96.3 percent among senior citizens over 85, 97.71 percent among persons with disabilities, and 94.24 percent among essential services personnel.

Kelkar attributed the delay in finalizing figures to the need for meticulous cross-checking of postal votes, emphasizing...