Assembly Elections 2026: Peaceful Voting Across Assam, Kerala and Puducherry

KalimNews, April 9, 2026, Kalimpong : Voting for the Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry concluded peacefully on Thursday, marking a major democratic exercise across three key regions of the country and setting the stage for a closely watched electoral contest. From early morning queues to steady turnout throughout the day, people across these regions participated enthusiastically, reflecting strong public engagement in the electoral process.

In Assam, polling ended at 5 pm across all 126 assembly constituencies, recording an estimated voter turnout of 84.42 per cent, surpassing the 82.04 per cent turnout in the 2021 elections, officials said. The BJP-led NDA is seeking a third consecutive term in power in the state, while the Congress is striving to reclaim a state it lost a decade ago. 

A total of 722 candidates are in the fray in this single-phase election, which is largely witnessing a direct contest between the BJP-led ruling coalition and the opposition bloc led by the Congress. Votes were cast at 31,490 polling stations spread across 35 districts, with polling conducted from 7 am to 5 pm. 

Among the constituencies, Dalgaon recorded the highest voting at 94.57 per cent, while Amri registered the lowest turnout at 70.40 per cent. Despite overcast skies and intermittent rains in several parts of the state, including Guwahati, voters turned out in large numbers, with long queues seen across districts such as Jorhat, Kamrup, Kokrajhar and Lakhimpur. Earlier in the day, voter turnout figures showed a steady rise, with nearly 59.63 per cent recorded by 1 pm and around 76 per cent by 3 pm.

In Kerala, polling for all 140 Assembly seats concluded at 6 pm, with voters who were present in queues at the deadline allowed to cast their ballots after being issued tokens. By 5 pm, a voter turnout of 75.01 per cent was recorded, slightly higher than the 74.06 per cent turnout in the 2021 Assembly elections. 

Earlier in the day, brisk voting was witnessed, with nearly 50 per cent turnout recorded by 1 pm and 62 per cent by 3 pm. Final turnout figures will be available only after all those in queues have cast their votes. The crucial election will determine whether the ruling LDF secures a third straight term, if the UDF stages a comeback, or if the BJP emerges as a significant challenger in what has traditionally been a bipolar contest. Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar said the voting trend indicated that turnout could reach 90 per cent, urging voters to participate. “If the current trend continues, by the time polling concludes, we are confident we will see a turnout of 90 per cent,” he told reporters.

In Puducherry, voting for the 30 Assembly constituencies in the Union Territory concluded at 6 pm, with those arriving before the deadline allowed to wait and vote. According to initial estimates, the polling percentage has crossed 86 per cent. The NDA is aiming to retain power, while the Congress-led alliance is pushing to wrest control from the AINRC-led front, focusing its campaign on issues such as local autonomy and administrative friction.

While polling remained largely peaceful across all three regions, a few unfortunate incidents were reported. In Kerala’s Thrissur district, a 62-year-old man identified as Vinodan collapsed and died shortly after casting his vote at a polling station in Vaniampara. In Assam’s Sonitpur district, a polling official, Deben Hore (45), who had been deputed as the second polling officer in the Naduar constituency, was found unconscious and later declared dead at a hospital, with doctors suspecting an underlying medical condition.

Looking ahead, Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23, while West Bengal will vote in phases on April 23 and 29. The counting of votes for all these elections will take place on May 4.