India’s Assam and Kerala states hold legislative assembly elections
Al Jazeera
Voting also held in the federal territory of Puducherry, while West Bengal and Tamil Nadu will vote later this month.
Millions of Indians have voted in local elections in two states and a federally-governed territory, kicking off five key contests scheduled this month as a test of support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Voting was held on Thursday in Assam and Kerala, along with the Union Territory of Puducherry, while West Bengal and Tamil Nadu will vote later this month.
Results from all the elections are due on May 4.
As nearly 174 million voters headed to the polling stations on Thursday to elect more than 290 legislators, Modi appealed to people to exercise their franchise in large numbers.
“I hope that the state’s youth and women voters participate enthusiastically and make this election a celebration of democracy and public duty,” Modi said in a post on X.
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