Voting got underway on April 9 across Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, with millions of people heading to polling stations in a crucial round of state elections.
More than 5.3 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes in a single phase covering all three regions. Polling began early in the morning, with long queues seen at several booths as voters turned up steadily.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to citizens to vote in large numbers, saying every vote plays a role in strengthening democracy. Leaders from other parties also made similar calls, encouraging people not to miss the opportunity to participate.
The elections carry different political stakes in each region. In Assam, the Bharatiya Janata Party is aiming to return to power for a third straight term, making it a closely watched contest.
Kerala, meanwhile, is witnessing a three-way fight between the ruling Left Democratic Front, the Congress-led United Democratic Front, and the BJP-led alliance, making the outcome harder to predict.
In Puducherry, the contest is more direct, with the ruling alliance facing a strong challenge from the opposition. Local issues such as governance, development and employment have been central to the campaign.
Early trends showed steady participation, with voter turnout building gradually through the day. Election officials have put extensive security and monitoring systems in place to ensure smooth and peaceful polling.
These elections are being closely tracked as they offer clues about the political mood in different parts of the country. The results, which will be declared in early May, are expected to have a wider impact on national politics.
