Assembly Elections 2026: Polling concludes in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry; strong voter turnout recorded

Polling for the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry concluded on Thursday, witnessing high voter participation across all three regions. Voting began early in the morning and was conducted under tight security arrangements supervised by the Election Commission of India to ensure smooth and fair polling.

Voters turned out in large numbers to decide the fate of hundreds of candidates, reflecting strong public engagement in these crucial elections.

🧑‍💼 Key leaders cast their votes

Prominent political leaders were among the early voters:

• Himanta Biswa Sarma
• Pinarayi Vijayan
• N. Rangaswamy

Notably, Rangaswamy continued his tradition of riding a motorcycle to the polling booth, drawing public attention.

📊 Seats and electoral stakes

• Assam: 126 Assembly seats
• Kerala: 140 Assembly seats
• Puducherry: 30 Assembly seats

The elections saw intense contests between major alliances, with regional dynamics playing a key role in each state.

📈 Voter turnout highlights

Assam: Over 84% turnout

Assam recorded an impressive around 84.8% voter turnout, higher than the 82.04% in 2021.

• Highest turnout: Dalgaon (95.83%)
• Lowest turnout: Amri (74.41%)
• Total candidates: 722
• Polling stations: 31,490 across 35 districts

The main contest is between the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led opposition alliance. The ruling alliance is aiming for a third consecutive term.

Kerala: Around 78% turnout

Kerala registered approximately 78.25% voter turnout, slightly higher than the 74.06% in 2021.

The key battle is among:

• LDF (Left Democratic Front) – seeking a rare third straight term
• UDF (United Democratic Front) – aiming for a comeback
• BJP – attempting to expand its presence

The election is widely seen as a referendum on the governance of CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

Puducherry: Nearly 90% turnout

Puducherry witnessed a very high turnout of around 89–90%, indicating strong voter enthusiasm.

The contest is primarily between:

• NDA (led by AINRC and BJP) – trying to retain power
• Congress-led alliance – focusing on governance and autonomy issues

🔍 What’s next?

• Counting of votes: Scheduled for May 4, 2026
• Results will determine:
  • Whether incumbents retain power
  • Or opposition alliances stage comebacks

🧠 Key takeaways

• All three regions recorded higher turnout than previous elections
• Strong participation suggests high political awareness and competitive races
• Outcomes could significantly influence regional and national political dynamics