Kottayam: The Puthuppally constituency in Kerala is abuzz with anticipation as voters head to the polls today for by-election. The election, scheduled to run from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., has garnered significant attention from political observers, with concerns looming over the impact of early morning rain on voter turnout.
Out of the 182 polling booths in Puthuppally, four have been flagged for potential issues due to the morning rain. Nevertheless, authorities have implemented webcasting across all polling stations to ensure transparency and maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
In this hotly contested by-election, the United Democratic Front (UDF) has fielded Chandy Oommen as its candidate, while the Left Democratic Front (LDF) has put forward Jaick C. Thomas as its representative. Both candidates are casting their votes at prominent educational institutions, with Chandy Oommen voting at Puthuppally Gregorian School and Jaick C. Thomas at U.P. School. Notably, Lijin Lal, a prominent political figure, is not eligible to vote in the Puthuppally constituency.
Puthuppally boasts a total of 1,76,417 eligible voters, including 90,281 women and 86,132 men. Additionally, 957 new voters are participating in the electoral process for the first time. Historically, Puthuppally has been a stronghold for the UDF for over five decades. However, the LDF is aiming to capitalise on the potential for change in the constituency.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is also eyeing a strong performance in Puthuppally, seeking to highlight the perceived shortcomings of the left and right coalitions in the region.
The by-election in Puthuppally is part of a larger electoral event, with by-elections being held today in seven assembly constituencies across the country, including states like Tripura, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand. The results of these elections will undoubtedly have implications at both the state and national levels.
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