Voting for the 2024 general elections in Kerala commenced at 7 a.m. on Friday across all 20 Lok Sabha seats, marked by a 5.62 per cent turnout within the first hour. With over 25,000 polling booths in the state, people queued up since early morning to cast their votes, eager to avoid the hot weather expected later in the day.
Long queues of voters were witnessed outside polling booths across all Lok Sabha seats in Kerala. Despite initial hiccups with EVM breakdowns reported in various booths, the election process continued smoothly after the machines were replaced promptly.
The polling process unfolded under tight security arrangements, with over 66,000 security personnel deployed and the election process monitored live through an extensive webcasting system.
Prior to the commencement of voting, a mock poll was conducted, with votes cast for all candidates, including NOTA, as per Election Commission instructions. After clearing the EVMs following the mock poll, actual polling began.
Approximately 2.77 crore voters will decide the fate of the 194 candidates contesting from the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala. Among the candidates are two union ministers, most sitting MPs, a state minister, three actors, and several MLAs.
The election in Kerala has witnessed highly active and aggressive poll campaigns by the CPI(M)-led ruling LDF, the Congress-headed UDF, and the BJP-led NDA. These campaigns have brought to the forefront key issues and concerns, driving engagement among voters.
As the state gears up for a crucial electoral showdown, political parties have intensified their efforts to sway voters in their favor. The election outcome is poised to have significant implications not only for Kerala but also at the national level.
With voter turnout picking up pace and various parties making their final pushes, the political landscape in Kerala is set for a dynamic transformation. As the day progresses, the electoral process will unfold, revealing the preferences of millions of voters across the state.
