In Kerala, all the 140 constituencies in fourteen districts will go to the polls on Wednesday in a single phase election amid tight security. Active campaigning came to an end on Monday evening. More than 2 crore 31 lakh voters are eligible to exercise franchise. AIR correspondent says distribution of polling materials will start Tuesday morning. After weeks of intense political campaigning activity God's own country woke up to a very quiet morning on day. Campaigning ended smoothly except a few incidents of stone pelting and clashes in some places. However, as per statistics of election commission the much discussed first ever voting right to non resident Indians did not evoke expected response in Kerala. Only 8862 non resident Keralites have registered for voting whereas there are about twenty lakh Keralites working abroad especially in gulf countries. All arrangements are in place to ensure smooth polling in Kerala. Apart from 40 company central forces 44 company state police personnel are to ensure hassle free and peaceful poll on Wednesday. Unlike in other states female voters outnumber male voter's in Kerala. 78 women candidates are also in the election fray. In Puducherry, all necessary arrangements are being made for the peaceful polling on Wednesday. Over 8.10 lakh electorates will decide the fate of 187 candidates including 79 Indpendents in the Assembly elections on Wednesday. For the first time in the Union Territory, all the 851 polling booths have been connected with webcasting to monitor the polling process. Electronic voting machines and other materials for the poll is being taken to the booths on Tuesday afternoon. Ten companies of para-military forces along with local police and homeguards are deployed for security in the Union Territory. Additional security arrangements have been provided in 102 polling booths which are identified as vulnerable. All liquor shops in the Union Territory will remain closed.
News On AIR | April 12, 2011 10:45 AM
Kerala, Puducherry go to Assembly election tomorrow