Dalgaon tops with 94.57% turnout; rural belts outperform urban centres as over 2.49 crore voters participate, surpassing 2021 record
Guwahati: Assam witnessed robust voter participation in the 2026 Assembly elections, with turnout touching 85.13% by 7 pm, surpassing the 82.04% recorded in 2021, signalling heightened public engagement.
Polling began at 7 am across 126 constituencies, covering 31,490 polling stations in 35 districts, and officially concluded at 5 pm. However, long queues at several booths extended voting hours in many locations. In total, more than 2.49 crore voters chose from 722 candidates in a single-phase contest.
Turnout rose steadily through the day, starting at 17.93% at 9 am, reaching 59.63% by 1 pm, and 75.91% by 3 pm, before climbing further by evening.
Several constituencies reported exceptionally high participation, led by Dalgaon (94.57%), followed by Jaleshwar (94.31%), Srijangram (94.33%), Mankachar (94.08%), and Golakganj (93.42%). Other strong performers included Laharighat (93.44%), Chenga (93.38%), and Goalpara East (92.79%), with clusters in Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, and the Darrang–Morigaon belt crossing the 90% mark.
In contrast, urban constituencies such as Dispur (73.98%), Guwahati Central (75.23%), and New Guwahati (71.27%) recorded relatively lower turnout. At the other end, Amri reported the lowest turnout at 70.40%, reflecting regional variation.
The election remains a direct contest between the BJP-led NDA, seeking a third consecutive term, and the Congress-led alliance aiming for a comeback. Key leaders including Himanta Biswa Sarma, Gaurav Gogoi, Debabrata Saikia, Pabitra Margherita, Lurinjyoti Gogoi, and Akhil Gogoi were among those who cast their votes.
Authorities ensured accessibility through facilities for elderly and differently-abled voters, while most areas reported peaceful polling. Minor incidents, including a clash in Golaghat and detentions in Tamulpur and Sivasagar, did not disrupt the overall process.
This election also marks the first Assembly polls after the 2023 delimitation, adding new dynamics to the contest. The final verdict will be known on May 4.
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