Kerala, Puducherry record steady polling; by-elections underway in three states
Guwahati: Voting for the 2026 Assembly elections progressed smoothly across Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry on Thursday, with voter participation steadily rising through the day under tight security arrangements.
According to the reports, by 1 pm, Assam had recorded the highest turnout among the three, with 59.63 per cent of voters casting their ballots. Puducherry followed with 56.83 per cent, while Kerala registered 49.7 per cent turnout, according to official figures.
Polling began at 7 am and is being conducted amid heightened security, given the high-stakes nature of the elections. Voting will continue through the evening, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.
In Assam, elections are being held across all 126 constituencies, with over 2.5 crore voters eligible to participate. A total of 722 candidates are in the fray, as the ruling alliance led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma seeks another term. The opposition bloc, led by Gaurav Gogoi, is attempting to consolidate support across key regions.
Kerala is witnessing a closely contested battle for its 140-member Assembly, with over 2.7 crore voters deciding the fate of 883 candidates. The contest primarily involves the ruling Left Democratic Front, the Congress-led United Democratic Front, and the BJP-led NDA.
In Puducherry, more than 10 lakh voters are casting their ballots to elect representatives to the 30-member Assembly.
Alongside these elections, bypolls are also being held in select constituencies across Nagaland, Karnataka, and Tripura. These were necessitated by the demise of sitting legislators, prompting fresh contests in those regions.
With steady turnout figures and peaceful polling reported so far, attention now shifts to how participation trends evolve through the remainder of the day in what is being seen as a crucial electoral exercise across multiple states.
Also Read: Assam HSLC Results to be Declared on April 10: Confirms Minister Ranoj Pegu
