The 2026 assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry witnessed a remarkable surge in voter participation despite facing serious challenges such as incidents of violence and allegations of fraudulent voting. The voter turnout statistics for these regions shattered previous records, signaling a keen interest from the electorate in determining the future of their states. However, the elections were marred by political clashes, protests, and complaints of irregularities in some areas, making the polling process contentious at times. Let’s break down the election statistics and events in these three regions.
Assam: 80% Voter Turnout Despite Clashes
In Assam, more than 2.5 crore eligible electors were expected to vote for the 126-seat legislative assembly. The state witnessed a turnout of approximately 86%, which was a significant jump from its previous highest of 84.67% recorded in the 2016 assembly elections. The day’s voting was largely smooth, although incidents of violence, allegations of bogus voting, and clashes between political party workers were reported in some constituencies.
One of the key points of contention was the violent clash in the Patharkandi constituency, where voting was halted for almost two hours. Seven individuals were arrested in connection with poll-related violence, and around 30 people were injured. There were also claims by voters at the Geetanagar polling station in New Guwahati that their votes had already been cast. This prompted accusations from opposition candidates, including Congress President Gaurav Gogoi, who alleged biased conduct by the Election Commission.
Despite these issues, high-profile figures like Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the BJP candidate from Jalukbari, participated in the polling, with Sarma visiting the Kamakhya Temple before casting his vote. These visible actions helped to galvanize the electorate and maintain momentum throughout the day.
Kerala: 78.25% Turnout Amid Minor Clashes
In Kerala, a high voter turnout of 78.25% was recorded, marking a slight increase compared to past elections. Kerala's highest voter turnout ever was 80.54%, which was seen back in the 1987 elections. The turnout was bolstered by major districts like Ernakulam, which saw a turnout of 66%, while Pathanamthitta recorded the lowest turnout at 59.25%. The polling process in Kerala was mostly peaceful, although minor clashes were reported in some polling booths, particularly in areas with long queues where voters clashed over positions.
The political atmosphere in Kerala was highly charged as the state is poised for a significant decision in its development. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Minister Suresh Gopi were seen casting their votes, sending a strong message of commitment to the democratic process. Actors Mammootty and Mohanlal, influential figures in the state, also participated, further encouraging citizens to cast their ballots.
Despite minor protests over alleged bogus voting in some areas, the election was seen as a decisive moment for the state, with both the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and opposition parties rallying their supporters to show up at the polls. This election, despite the challenges, reflected Kerala’s long-standing tradition of robust political engagement.
Puducherry: Record-Breaking 90% Voter Turnout
The union territory of Puducherry exceeded all expectations with a record-breaking voter turnout of 90%. This was the highest-ever turnout in the region’s history, surpassing its previous best of 86.19% in the 2011 assembly elections. Polling in Puducherry was mostly peaceful, but there were isolated reports of clashes between supporters of the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress at a polling booth in the Mannadipet Assembly Constituency. The police quickly intervened, dispersing the crowd and maintaining peace.
Puducherry Chief Electoral Officer P Jawahar confirmed that this was the highest polling percentage recorded since the first assembly election after the merger of the territory with India in 1964. The territory’s enthusiasm for participation was evident as people gathered at polling stations as early as 7 AM despite the intense summer heat. The turnout showed the people’s eagerness to influence the direction of their local governance and political landscape.
The Election Commission took significant steps to ensure the transparency and smooth conduct of elections. For the first time, live webcasting was made available at 100% of the polling stations across Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry. This initiative aimed at preventing any malpractice and improving the overall trust in the electoral process. Election Commissioner officials kept a close watch on the events throughout the day, ensuring that all polling stations adhered to the set guidelines and protocols.
Despite the violent incidents and sporadic clashes, the robust monitoring systems ensured that these were isolated events and did not affect the overall smooth functioning of the polling process. Election security was enhanced, and additional police forces were deployed in sensitive areas to handle potential disruptions.
