Polling for the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry concluded peacefully on Thursday (April 9), with all three regions recording strong voter turnout exceeding 75%.
According to officials, the high participation reflects strong public engagement despite isolated incidents reported during the day.
Assam Sees Record Turnout, Surpasses 2021 Polls
Assam recorded an impressive voter turnout of 84.42% across all 126 Assembly constituencies, higher than the 82.04% turnout in the 2021 elections.
Voting took place at over 31,000 polling stations across 35 districts between 7 am and 5 pm. The Dalgaon constituency registered the highest turnout at 94.57%, while Amri recorded the lowest at 70.40%.
An election official said, “The voting concluded peacefully. We thank the Election Commission for smooth conduct of the polls.”
The state witnessed a direct contest between the ruling NDA and the Congress-led opposition alliance, with 722 candidates in the fray.
However, minor incidents of clashes and complaints were reported in some areas. In parts of Assam, tensions between political workers led to scuffles, and authorities also registered a case after a video allegedly showing voting inside a polling station surfaced online.
Kerala Records Steady Turnout, Minor Complaints Surface
In Kerala, polling for all 140 Assembly seats ended with a turnout of 75.01%, slightly higher than the 74.06% recorded in the previous elections.
Long queues were seen outside polling booths even at closing time, indicating strong voter enthusiasm.
Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar expressed optimism earlier in the day, saying, “If the trend continues, we are confident of achieving a very high turnout.”
Despite the largely peaceful voting, some complaints emerged. A woman in Thrissur alleged she was denied voting due to a bandaged finger. “I have stitches and cannot remove the bandage, but I was still not allowed to vote,” she said.
There were also reports of minor clashes between party workers and allegations of bogus voting in a few constituencies, which led to protests.
Puducherry Records Strong Turnout, NDA Aims to Retain Power
In Puducherry, voting for all 30 Assembly constituencies ended at 6 pm, with around 86% voter turnout. The Union Territory has nearly 9.5 lakh voters spread across Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam regions.
The election is seen as a key battle between the NDA, which is seeking to retain power, and the Congress-led alliance that is trying to unseat the ruling front.
Officials said the voting process remained largely smooth, with innovative initiatives like model polling booths attracting voters.
In one such instance, a polling booth welcomed voters with a robot named “Nila,” which drew attention and positive feedback.
Voters Show Determination Amid Challenges
Several voters went to great lengths to cast their ballots. In Karaikal, an ailing auto driver arrived in an ambulance to vote, highlighting strong commitment to democratic participation.
Meanwhile, in Kerala, newlyweds and families were seen heading to polling booths, underlining the importance many citizens attach to voting.
Celebrities also joined the process, with actors like Mammootty urging people to vote. “It is a once-in-five-year opportunity, and people should come forward to cast their votes,” he said.
