Elections 2026 Highlights: Assam recorded 84.42% polling till 5 pm, Kerala 75.01% and Puducherry 86.92%
Assembly Election 2026 Highlights: Puducherry recorded the highest voter turnout at 89.20 per cent, followed by Assam with 85.10 per cent, while Kerala registered 77.50 per cent, reflecting strong public participation across regions, as per PTI
Assembly Election 2026 LIVE: Voting has ended for assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry today. The next phase of assembly polls in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are scheduled for later this month. The results for all assembly polls will be declared on 4 May.
The voting began at 7 AM. Today's voting was held at 31,486 polling stations across Assam, 30,471 polling stations in Kerala and 1,099 polling stations in Puducherry. The Assembly election polling ended at 6 pm.
Assam has 2.5 crore voters. Kerala has 2.7 crore voters while Puducherry has 9.4 Lakh voters. In Assam, there are about 5.7 lakh first time voters. In Kerala it is 4.24 lakh and is Puducherry, 23,000 residents are eligible to vote for the first time today.
Assam Assembly Election 2026: Poll Timings
Assam has 126 seats. The Assam elections was keenly watched with sitting Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hoping to return to power. The Opposition Congress is alleging instability under the present rule, and has batted for change as a key factor in their electoral campaign.
In 2021, the election saw the incumbent BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) retain power with 75 seats, marking the first time a non-Congress alliance won consecutive terms in the state.
The fight for Kerala
In Kerala, the election battle is between the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) for the Assembly elections. The CPI(M)-led LDF, led by CM Pinarayi Vijayan, is seeking a third consecutive term.
Kerala has 140 seats. In the 2021 elections, the LDF retained power with 99 seats, becoming the first incumbent government since 1977 to win consecutive terms.
The Union Territory of Puducherry, with 30 assembly seats, will see the ruling BJP-led NDA hoping to consolidate its hold on power. The Congress has put forth the demand for full statehood, growth in local leadership and aiming a reduction in the authority of the Lieutenant Governor in its campaign.
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Election 2026 LIVE: PM Modi utters 'Sonar Bangla' in distorted way
Election 2026 LIVE: Ahead of Assembly election in West Bengal, CM Mamata Banerjee said the prime minister utters 'Sonar Bangla' in a “distorted way using a teleprompter in rallies to profess his 'fake love'.”
Watch here:
Election 2026 LIVE: Palaniswami on statement on Kanimozhi - ‘merely expressed reality’
Election 2026 LIVE: On his statement regarding DMK’s Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Palaniswami clarified that he did not say she was powerless.
“What I said is, does she receive the respect she deserves within her own family? No. In M Karunanidhi’s family, status is given only to MK Stalin. Mrs Kanimozhi has not been given that status. That is the reality. I merely expressed that reality,” he said.
Election 2026 LIVE: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma reacts to voter turnout
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said, “In Assam, the migrant Muslim community has traditionally recorded very high voter turnout, often around 95%, sometimes even 98%. However, this time, the local indigenous Assamese people and other communities have also turned out in large numbers. In some places, turnout among our people has reached 92% to 95%. This itself gives a clear indication of who will win or lose the election.”
Election 2026 LIVE: 82.21% voter turnout recorded in Nagaland's Koridang in by-election
A total of 82.21 per cent of 22,382 voters exercised their franchise in the by-election to Koridang assembly constituency in Nagaland's Mokokchung district on Thursday, officials said.
As many as 18,400 votes were polled by the close of voting. The polling, which began at 7 am, saw a steady rise in turnout -- from around 20 per cent in the initial hours to 59.52 per cent by 1 pm, before closing on a strong note.
Election 2026 LIVE: Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition leaders thank voters after polling concludes in Kerala
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Opposition leaders thanked voters on Thursday for actively participating in the democratic process as polling of the Assembly election concluded in the state.
Election 2026 LIVE: 68-82% voting reported in bypolls on 4 Assembly seats
Polling was largely peaceful and voting percentage ranged from 68 to over 82 in the bypolls held on four assembly seats in Karnataka, Tripura and Nagaland on Thursday, PTI reported.
Election 2026 LIVE: Puducherry leads voter turnout with 89.20%, Assam follows with 85.10%, Kerala stands at 77.50%
Election 2026 LIVE: Puducherry recorded the highest voter turnout at 89.20 per cent, followed by Assam with 85.10 per cent, while Kerala registered 77.50 per cent, reflecting strong public participation across regions.
Election 2026 LIVE: Assam CM shares his assessment of the polls
Election 2026 LIVE: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has shared his assessment of the Assembly election 2026.Assam voted today. He said Asom Gana Parishad has already won two Muslim-majority seats, or is on the verge of victory in them.
“The BJP, too, has put up a tough fight in one Muslim-majority seat. We might win that seat, or we could lose it by a margin of a few thousand votes. All in all, women and the youth have voted for Assam's identity, voted against infiltrators, and this time, the people have cast their votes to preserve Assam's culture,” he said.
Election 2026 LIVE: Voter turnout in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry until 5 pm
Election 2026 LIVE: According to Election Commission data, Assam recorded 84.42 per cent polling till 5 pm, Keralam 75.01 and Puducherry 86.92 per cent. Officials said that actual voting figures would take some time as those who had entered the polling booth before 6 pm would be allowed to cast their ballot.
Election 2026 LIVE: 84.42 per cent is estimated turnout in Assam
Election 2026 LIVE: Polling for all 126 assembly constituencies of Assam, held in a single phase, ended at 5 pm on Thursday, with an estimated voter turnout of 84.42 per cent, which was expected to rise further.
Election 2026 LIVE: Palaniswami says Kanimozhi has no role in DMK, still ‘contiues to talk so much’
Election 2026 LIVE: Addressing a rally in North Chennai, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami attacked DMK MP Kanimozhi saying, “Kanimozhi has no role in that party; has she been 'appointed' to any position? Despite having been assigned no responsibilities or 'appointed' to any post, she continues to talk so much.”
Election 2026 LIVE: Voter turnout in Kerala, Puducherry
Election 2026 LIVE: Polling in Kerala recorded a voter turnout of 62.71 per cent till 4:30 pm, while Puducherry saw a higher participation of 72.40 per cent at the same time, reflecting steady enthusiasm among voters.
Election 2026 LIVE: How Assam voted today
Election 2026 LIVE: In 11 hours of voting in Assam, the Northeastern state has recorded a voter turnout of over 75 percent till 4.30 pm.
Election 2026 LIVE: Voting ends in Kerala, Assam, Puducherry
Election 2026 LIVE: Voting concluded peacefully across Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry on Thursday, April 9. Strict security arrangements were in place at sensitive booths. Voters from urban and rural areas alike turned out to exercise their franchise, reflecting active public participation in the electoral process.
Election 2026 LIVE: Congress releases manifesto for 2026 election
Election 2026 LIVE: The Congress has released its manifesto for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. In the manifesto, Congress has promised 300,000 government jobs and sterlization of all dogs.
“We view this manifesto as a blueprint for the next government to be formed in Tamil Nadu, which will govern for the next five years. 300,000 government jobs will be filled. 'Rabies-Free Tamil Nadu', all stray dogs in Tamil Nadu will be sterilised,” he said.
Election 2026 LIVE: Mother of RG Kar rape, murder victim files nomination
Election 2026 LIVE: The mother of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim and BJP candidate from Panihati seat has filed her nomination today, April 9, in the presence of party leader Smriti Irani.
Election 2026 LIVE: EC presented first-time voters with a sapling -Watch video
Election 2026 LIVE: Election Commission has presented the first-time voters with a sapling. A robot, dressed in a traditional saree and carrying a plate of flower petals, welcomed voters.
Election 2026 LIVE: Voter turnout in Puducherry until 3 pm
Election 2026 LIVE: Puducherry is voting to elect its 11th chief minister. Until 3 pm, 72% of Puducherry has voted.
Election 2026 LIVE: Voter turnout in Assam until 3 pm
Election 2026 LIVE: Till 3 pm, over 75 per cent people in Assam have taken part in the elections to elect their next government.
Election 2026 LIVE: Voter turnout in Kerala until 3 pm
Election 2026 LIVE: Kerala is voting today to elect its next government, and people have turned up in big numbers to exercise their franchise.
Election 2026 LIVE: Actor Fahadh Faasil casts his vote in Alappuzha - photos
Election 2026 LIVE: Actor Fahadh Faasil after casting his vote at St. Sebastian Lower Primary School, Alappuzha
Assembly Election 2026 LIVE: Wandoor LDF cadidate Damodaran says response encouraging
Assembly Election 2026 LIVE: Wandoor LDF candidate KK Damodaran has visited polling stations in his constituency and said that the response of the voters towards his party is encouraging.
Assembly Election 2026 LIVE: BTC CEM exudes confidence that people in the state are with NDA
Assembly Election 2026 LIVE: Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in Assam, Hagrama Mohilary, exuded confidence that everyone is with NDA, referring that the alliace will win.
“I cast my vote...I interacted with people from various communities and they are all with us (NDA)” he said.
Assembly Election 2026 LIVE: CR Kesavan campaigns for Tamilisai in Chennai, says she will work 24/7
Assembly Election 2026 LIVE: BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan on Thursday campaigned for Mylapore candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan and promised that the BJP leader will work 24/7 if she's elected.
“There is a wave of change sweeping Mylapore. Tamilisai ji will be the next MLA from here. She will work 24/7 for the people of Mylapore. The reception we are seeing is proof enough of Tamilisai ji's victory in the coming elections,” Kesavan said.
Assembly Election 2026 LIVE: Campaigning in Haldia, Suvendu says we will win all
Assembly Election 2026 LIVE: Addressing the reporters while campaigning in Haldia district, West Bengal Assembly LoP and BJP candidate from Bhabanipur and Nandigram Assembly constituencies, Suvendu Adhikari said that the BJP will win all 16 seats here as he spoke about six guarantees that PM Modi mentioned.
Meanwhile, nearly 60% polling in Koridang bypoll
Over 59 per cent voter turnout has been recorded in Koridang seat till 1 pm. As many as 22,382 electors have util 1 pm exercised their franchise in Nagaland's Koridang Assembly bypolls.
Assembly Election 2026 LIVE: Assam Minister Ashok Singhal casts his vote for the Assam Assembly Elections
Assembly Election 2026 LIVE: Assam Minister Ashok Singhal and his family have cast their votes in the Assembly elections, as he hoped that the BJP-led alliance would secure over 100 seats in the elections and form the government.
“The people of Assam are going to give a very important verdict today. This will be historic. People want a safe and secure Assam. We are getting a huge number of votes in the state. BJP will get more than 75-80 seats and with the alliance partners, we may cross 100 seats,” he said.
Assembly Election 2026 LIVE: Check voter turnout in Assam, Puducherry & Kerala at 1 PM
Assam Election 2026 LIVE: 7 held in election-related violence
Seven people were held in connection with election-related violence at two places in Assam, officials said on Thursday.
Besides, minor clashes also erupted at several polling booths after voting began in the morning, with people suffering minor injuries, they said.
Assam Election 2026 LIVE: Singer Papon urges youth to vote — ‘Every vote counts’
Singer Papon cast his vote in Guwahati. Talking to PTI, he said, "I urge the youth to come out and cast their vote. The weather is great and wonderful arrangements have been made. We must vote because every vote counts."
Assam Election 2026 LIVE: CM Sarma's wife casts her vote
Kerala Election 2026 LIVE: Star Mohanlal casts vote
Assam Election 2026 LIVE: What was the cause of the polling officer's death?
The cause of death of Deben Horo, 45, is yet to be confirmed, though doctors suspect an underlying medical condition led to it, PTI reported.
He was deputed as the second polling officer in Naduar.
Assam Election 2026 LIVE: Poll official found dead in Sonitpur
A poll official was found dead in Assam's Sonitpur district on Thursday amid assembly elections in the state, officials said. Deben Horo (45) was deputed as the second polling officer in the Naduar constituency, they said.
Kerala Election 2026 LIVE: Will actor Tovino Thomas join politics? Find out
Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas is not interested in joining politics. “I don't think I can handle the stress,” he told PTI
Assam Election 2026 LIVE: Voter turnout at 11:00 AM
Puducherry Election 2026 LIVE: Voter turnout at 11:00 AM
Kerala Election 2026 LIVE: Voter turnout at 11:00 AM
Puducherry Election 2026 LIVE: ‘We will show our strength, power’ says NDA candidate Jose Martin
"Today we can see a lot of people coming forward to show their strength and unity. This is Indian democracy, and we will show our strength and power," LJK founder and NDA candidate Jose Charles Martin told PTI.
Assam Election 2026 LIVE: Gaurav Gogoi casts vote, talks about ‘new Assam’
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi casted his vote at a polling booth set up at DCB Girls High School, Jorhat.
"There is a wave of enthusiasm among people. We are confident that we will preserve Assam's ideals and democratic values to build a New Assam," he told PTI.
Kerala Election 2026 LIVE: Veena George urges voters to arrive early to avoid hot weather | WATCH
Assam Election 2026 LIVE: People queue up to cast their vote in Kamrup
Long queues were seen in Assam's Kamrup district, as people waited for their turn to cast vote, according to this photo by the ECI.
Assembly Election 2026 LIVE: Assam records highest voter turnout by 9 AM; Puducherry follows closely
According to ECI data, Assam recorded the highest voter turnout by 9 AM at 17.87%. Puducherry followed closely with 17.41%.
The voter turnout in Kerala at 9 AM was 16.23%
Puducherry Election 2026 LIVE: CM Rangasamy arrives to cast vote in style
Kerala Election 2026 LIVE: Nambi Narayanan urges voters to participate actively
Assam Election 2026 LIVE: CM Himanta Sarma performs puja ahead of voting | WATCH
Assembly Election 2026 LIVE: Health check-up facilities set-up in at Assam's Kamrup polling station
Assembly Election 2026 LIVE: Congress MP KC Venugopal casts his vote in Kerala
Assembly Election 2026 LIVE: Axis My India statement on Exit Polls
Psephologist Pradeep Gupta-led Axis My India will not publish any pre-poll or opinion polls before 29 April.
"This is to inform you all that Axis My India never publishes any kind of pre-poll/opinion poll. This will hold true for the entire period till the exit polls are released by us after the elections as per ECI guidelines, on 29 April 2026, 6.30 PM onwards," Axis My India said in a statement.