Sat Jan 03 14:44:03 UTC 2026: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text, formatted for a general audience:
Kozhikode Gears Up for Assembly Elections as EVM Inspections Begin
KOZHIKODE, India – January 3, 2026 – Political activity is heating up in Kozhikode as the first phase of inspection of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) began today in preparation for the upcoming Assembly elections. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) are both strategizing after recent local body polls.
The Congress-IUML alliance is optimistic after gains in the district panchayat and is focusing on identifying strong candidates for the district’s 13 Assembly segments. The Congress hopes to regain representation in the State Assembly from Kozhikode after a 25-year absence. The IUML also aims to improve its performance and is considering seat swaps with Congress.
The LDF, facing setbacks in recent elections, is conducting internal reviews and public response surveys to gauge voter sentiment. The CPI(M) has instructed local units to begin preparing for the Assembly polls, including door-to-door outreach programs.
The BJP-led NDA is also emerging as a significant contender in several constituencies. The party has notably increased its strength in the Kozhikode Corporation.
The EVM and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) inspection process is being overseen by District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh, the District Election Officer, and is being conducted by engineers from Bharat Electronics Limited at the Chathamangalam warehouse.
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