Top News

Assam sees high turnout at 85.13%; polling largely peaceful
ET Bureau | April 10, 2026 2:19 PM CST

Synopsis

Assam's assembly elections saw remarkable voter turnout that exceeded 85 per cent. While the polling process was predominantly peaceful, a few areas reported minor clashes. The democratic spirit was also on show in Tripura and Nagaland, where by-elections saw voters turning out in large numbers.

A polling booth in Assam
Guwahati: Assam witnessed brisk polling as the 126 assembly seats of the state which went on single phase polling on Thursday. Elections were largely peaceful. The poll percentage was over 85.13 percent.

The final tally is likely to increase further.Despite bad weather as it was raining in several areas of the state, people queued up early in the day outside polling stations.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma cast his vote on Thursday at a polling station in Azara’s Gorol area, accompanied by his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma and their two children. In 2021 assembly polling percentage was 82.04.


Cultural icon Zubeen Garg's wife Garima Saikia Garg cast her vote at a polling station in Kahilipara’s Bhagaduttapur area. She said, “I was unwell and in the hospital till yesterday. Everyone must vote and we hope Zubeen Garg will get justice.”

Sarma after casting his vote urged the voters to participate in large numbers. “Today’s decision will determine the future of the state for the next five years. I urge the people of Assam to come out and vote for the development of the state".

Nine people were held in connection with election-related violence at three places in Assam. Minor clashes also took place at several polling booths after voting began in the morning, with people suffering minor injuries.

Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), Akhilesh Kumar Singh, said that violence took place in Tamulpur and Sivasagar on Wednesday night, hours before polling began for the assembly elections at 7 am. "There were reports of clashes between two groups at Tamulpur last night. Police reached the spot immediately and tried to control the crowd. When they did not listen, a few rounds were fired in the air to disperse the mob.”

Read more about Assam Assembly polls 2026

Minor clashes were reported from deim polling stations of Sribhumi, Golaghat and Nagaon districts. In Golaghat, police detained two individuals after an incident of poll-related violence. In Patharkandi, Merapani and Raha there were political clashes.

Congress party claimed its worker Amil Ali was murdered in Teok on Wednesday. Congress leader Ripun Bora stated in X, “Shocking and deeply disturbing! On the eve of polling in Jorhat, Minority Department leader Amir Ali was brutally murdered. He served as Block President of the Minority Department in Teok constituency. Is this the “safe Assam” promised by

@himantabiswa and the Bharatiya Janata Party? This targeted violence ahead of elections exposes the complete collapse of law & order. Democracy cannot survive under fear and bloodshed. We demand an immediate, impartial investigation and strict action against the culprits.”

The BJP-led NDA is seeking a third consecutive term in power in these elections, while the Congress is looking to reclaim the state after it was decimated in 2016.

Around 2,50,54,463 electors will decide the fate of 722 Candidates in 126 assembly constituencies.

Webcasting facilities are arranged in all 31,490 polling stations, including 31,486 main polling stations and 4 auxiliary polling stations.

A total of 1,51,132 polling personnel has been deployed for the conduct of the election. For polling purposes, 41,320 Ballot Units, 43,975 Control Units, and 43,997 VVPAT machines have been arranged, including reserves for emergency use. Additional polling personnel have also been kept in readiness, if required.

Electorate size included 1,25,31,552 male voters, 1,25,22,593 female voters, and 318 voters in the Transgender category. There are also 63,423 service voters. Among the electorate, 6,42,314 voters are in the age group of 18–19 years, 2,50,006 are above 80 years of age, and 2,05,085 are persons with disabilities.

A total of 26,032 senior citizens (85+) and 8,373 persons with disabilities have exercised their voting rights through postal ballots from home.

By-election

Around 70.09 Percent voter turnout was recorded till in the by-election for Dharmanagar Assembly constituency in North Tripura district. The final tally is likely to increase.

An election official said that no untoward incident has been reported so far after the polling began at 7 a.m. at the 55 polling stations in the Assembly segment, which shares inter-state borders with Assam and Mizoram.

A total of 46,142 voters, including 23,758 women, are eligible to cast their votes to decide the electoral fate of six candidates.

Out of the 55 polling stations, 11 are managed entirely by women personnel, while two stations each are operated by differently abled staff and youth polling teams, reflecting efforts toward inclusive electoral participation.

The six candidates in the fray include nominees from major political parties, smaller outfits, and an independent contender. Key candidates include Jahar Chakraborti of the ruling BJP, Chayan Bhattacharjee of Congress, and Amitabha Datta representing the CPI(M)-led Left Front.

The by-election was necessitated following the demise of sitting MLA and Tripura Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen, who passed away on December 26, 2025, at a hospital in Bengaluru after a prolonged illness.

Nagaland’s Koridang assembly constituency has also gone to polls. Six candidates are in the fray in the Koridang by-election.

The ruling People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) has fielded BJP nominee Daochier I Imchen, while the Congress has nominated T Chalukumba Ao. The NPP candidate is I Abenjang, and there are three independents’ candidates. The by-election was necessitated following the death of BJP MLA Imkong L. Imchen, a five-time MLA. The BJP has fielded Imkong's son.


READ NEXT
Cancel OK