2026 Assembly Elections: Assam Tops 17.87% Turnout by 9 AM

Polling is underway in the 2026 assembly elections for Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, kicking off at 7 AM. The first two hours revealed Assam surging ahead in voter participation compared to its counterparts. Election Commission figures at 9 AM indicate 17.87% turnout in Assam, outpacing Puducherry's 17.41% and Kerala's 16.23%. This robust start signals high stakes in these battlegrounds. Assam's standout performers include Majuli (20.03%), Morigaon (19.96%), Darrang (19.74%), Goalpara (19.66%), and Jorhat (19.01%). Kamrup lagged at 15.36%. In Kerala, Ernakulam hit 17.80%, with Kasaragod at 15.08%. Kerala fields 883 hopefuls for 140 seats, averaging 6-7 per seat, with 2.7 million voters at over 30,000 booths. Puducherry's 950,000+ electorate, including nearly 25,000 newcomers, chooses among 294 candidates for 30 seats. Assam’s 126-seat house sees 722 contestants, 59 women among them, backed by 25.05 million voters and 31,490 centers. Post-2023 delimitation, BJP defends its turf against Congress challengers. Kerala's triangular contest pits LDF's fifth-term bid against UDF and NDA. Puducherry's ruling AINRC-BJP coalition under Rangasamy faces opposition. With hours left in polling, these openings promise a fiercely contested outcome, shaping regional politics for years.