The Assembly elections in Kerala, scheduled for vote counting on May 4, have garnered significant attention with the state's voter turnout increasing to 79.7% after the inclusion of service voters' postal ballots, as announced by Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U. Kelkar. This development comes amidst a tightly contested political climate, with various parties expressing optimism about their performance.

In Nagaland, the byelection for the Koridang Assembly Constituency has witnessed a voter turnout of 82.21%, with six candidates in the fray. The byelection was necessitated by the demise of sitting BJP MLA Imkong L Imchen.

The political landscape is further complicated by allegations of irregularities during polling, with BJP candidate Debangshu Panda from the Falta Assembly constituency in West Bengal alleging large-scale irregularities and demanding repolling in certain areas. The Election Commission has ordered fresh voting on May 21 following these allegations.

As the counting of votes approaches, political parties are engaging in last-minute strategies, with some seeking divine blessings and others expressing confidence in their performance. The DMK has urged the Election Commission to ensure peace and the integrity of the vote-counting process, citing concerns over potential disruptions.

The outcome of these elections is expected to have significant implications for the political future of these states, with potential shifts in power dynamics and alliances. As the results are awaited, the situation remains tense, with all parties preparing for the outcome and its aftermath.