The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Kerala): As Kerala braces for its Lok Sabha elections this Friday, the stage is set with 194 candidates vying for 20 seats. The Election Commission has reported over 2.75 crore registered voters, including more than five lakh first-time voters, ensuring a comprehensive setup for a smooth electoral process.
Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Kaul highlighted the logistical preparations, including the use of 63,100 ink bottles to maintain the integrity of the voting process. The Kottayam constituency is seeing the highest candidate turnout with 14 contenders, while Alathur has the fewest at five.
This election features 169 male and 25 female candidates, with the Vadakara constituency having the highest number of female contenders at four. Security is a top priority, with 66,303 personnel deployed across 25,231 polling booths to ensure a peaceful voting environment.
The candidates include two Union ministers, a state minister, three actors, and several MLAs, with the BJP-led NDA fielding the most women candidates at five. The campaign period has been marked by vigorous debates over national issues such as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), allegations of ‘love jihad’, and the controversial film ‘The Kerala Story’, reflecting a politically charged atmosphere.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress-headed UDF won 19 of the 20 seats, leaving only one for the CPI(M)-led LDF. This year’s election promises to be a crucial test for all parties involved, as Kerala voters head to the polls amid heightened security and significant public interest.