Assembly Election 2026: Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry recorded a massive surge in voter participation on Thursday as over 5.3 crore electors cast their ballots to determine the political trajectory of two states and one Union Territory.
By 5 pm, Assam reported a striking turnout of 84.42 per cent, while Kerala reached 75.01 per cent. Puducherry witnessed a historic 86.87 per cent participation, marking a significant increase from previous electoral cycles.
In Assam, the electoral battle remained largely bipolar between the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and the Congress-led opposition. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi were among the high-profile figures who exercised their franchise.
Despite intermittent rainfall, approximately 2.51 crore electors in Assam participated in the single-phase polls. While nine individuals were detained for poll-related unrest, the Election Commission confirmed that the process remained generally peaceful across 31,000 polling stations.
Puducherry experienced a record-breaking momentum that is expected to surpass the 90 per cent mark. The Union Territory is witnessing a multi-cornered contest involving the NDA, the Congress-DMK alliance, and the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam led by actor Vijay.
Authorities in Puducherry noted that 294 candidates are contesting across 30 constituencies. The current turnout has already eclipsed the 83.4 per cent recorded during the 2021 Assembly elections, despite rising regional temperatures.
Kerala saw a steady rise in participation throughout the afternoon, crossing the 75 per cent threshold by late evening. The ruling Left Democratic Front, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, seeks a third consecutive term against the Congress-led United Democratic Front and the NDA.
Tragedy struck in Thrissur where a 62-year-old voter died after collapsing at a polling booth. Beyond the political stakes, the Kerala elections featured eight celebrity candidates, including actors Ramesh Pisharody and Anjali Nair.
Stringent security measures were implemented across all regions to ensure a transparent process. This included the deployment of drones, extensive webcasting, and heightened surveillance in areas identified as sensitive by election officials.
The final figures are expected to rise as polling continued into the evening hours. Officials emphasized that the robust participation reflects a deep engagement with the democratic process across both urban and rural constituencies.
