NEW DELHI — The high-stakes Assembly Elections 2026 LIVE updates confirm that polling has officially concluded across Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry. According to the final evening report from the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Union Territory of Puducherry led the turnout with a massive 86.92%. Assam followed closely with an impressive 84.42% participation across its 126 constituencies. Meanwhile, Kerala recorded an estimated turnout of 77.45%, successfully surpassing its 2021 polling figures.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar praised the millions of voters for their enthusiastic participation in this single-phase democratic exercise. While the polling remained largely orderly, the massive surge in the final hours indicates a highly polarized and engaged electorate. In Assam, voting ended at 5:00 PM, while in Kerala and Puducherry, queues extended well past the 6:00 PM deadline. All eyes now turn to May 4, when the counting of votes will decide the next governments in these three regions.
Assam: High Turnout Amidst Reports of Localized Friction
Assam’s 84.42% turnout represents a significant democratic statement in the state’s first election since the 2023 delimitation. Dalgaon constituency recorded the highest individual voting rate at 94.57%, while Amri saw the lowest at 70.40%. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, seeking a third straight term, cast his vote early in Jalukbari alongside his family. However, the day was not without trouble. Officials reported that poll-related violence in some districts left around 30 people injured.
In one notable incident, seven individuals were arrested following clashes between rival party supporters. Additionally, the Karbi Anglong district administration filed an FIR after a video of the voting process inside a booth surfaced on social media. Despite these localized disruptions and the tragic death of a polling official in Sonitpur earlier today, the ECI maintained that the overall process was successful. The NDA and the Congress-led alliance both expressed confidence in a victory as the EVMs moved to secure strongrooms.
Kerala and Puducherry: Historic Mandates in the Balance
In Kerala, the 77.45% turnout marks a pivotal moment for the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF, which is chasing a historic third consecutive term. The day saw a few unique challenges, including a standoff in Thrissur where a woman was initially denied voting due to a bandaged finger. Furthermore, in the Peravur constituency, a UDF booth agent was allegedly attacked, leading to brief tensions. Nevertheless, the heavy participation of women and first-time voters remained the highlight of the day in the southern state.
Also Read : Assam Assembly Election 2026 Live: 75.91% Voter Turnout Till 3 PM; Polling Official Dies in Sonitpur
Puducherry maintained its tradition of high engagement, recording the highest percentage among the three regions at 86.92%. Chief Minister N. Rangasamy famously rode his motorcycle to cast his vote, a symbol of the local leadership’s accessibility. The Union Territory utilized drone surveillance to monitor vulnerable booths, ensuring that the contest between the NDA and the INDIA bloc remained transparent.
The Road to May 4 Results
As the polling stations close, the focus shifts to the post-poll analysis. The high percentages suggest that regional issues, from Assam’s identity politics to Kerala’s welfare schemes, have resonated deeply with the masses. The ECI has confirmed that all electronic voting machines are being transported under multi-tier security to designated counting centers.
The outcome of these elections will have a profound impact on national political equations heading into the second half of 2026. Whether the incumbent governments retain their forts or a wave of change sweeps through, the high turnout proves that the spirit of democracy remains vibrant. Stay tuned for the final certified figures and the subsequent exit poll analyses.
Also Read: Assembly Elections 2026 LIVE: 17.87% Turnout in Assam, 16.23% in Kerala as Voting Intensifies