National: The first phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections kicked off on Wednesday, with 43 out of the 81 constituencies opening polling stations across 15 districts. This initial phase involves a lineup of 683 candidates, including 73 women, underscoring the growing representation of women in regional governance.
Simultaneously, 31 assembly seats across ten Indian states are conducting bye-elections. Notably, in Kerala’s Wayanad constituency, voters are selecting a Lok Sabha representative, attracting nationwide attention as Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra makes her electoral debut. Vadra faces competitors Satyan Mokeri from the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and Navya Haridas from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Also in Kerala, the Chelakkara assembly seat in Thrissur is participating in the state’s election activity.
Assam is witnessing bye-elections in five significant constituencies: Samaguri, Behali, Bongaigaon, Sidli, and Dholai, viewed as a precursor to broader electoral challenges in the state.
Polling across all regions began at 7 a.m., with enhanced security and logistical arrangements to ensure a smooth process. The outcomes of these elections hold substantial implications for regional alignments and national political strategies as parties vie for influence in these crucial seats.