![Guwahati [Assam], Apr 09 (ANI): Voters queue up as they wait to cast their votes amid rain at the polling station during the Assam Assembly Elections 2026 in Guwahati on Thursday. (ANI Photo)](https://organiser.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260409307l-1.webp)
Guwahati: Assam recorded its highest-ever voter turnout in the last three decades of over 85 per cent in the 2026 assembly elections, surpassing the 2021 figure of 82.42 per cent, as polling concluded at 5 pm amid clear skies. Despite heavy morning rains that reduced footfall, voting started at 7 am, and enthusiastic voters surged in the early afternoon to shape the state’s next government. Ruling BJP hailed the record participation as a resounding endorsement of NDA’s development agenda, while opposition parties claimed it was a vote for change.
The Election Commission says polling was peaceful, except for a few incidents in some parts of the state. Polling for all 126 Assembly Constituencies was completed in a single phase on April 9, 2026.
Chief Electoral Officer of Assam, Anurag Goel, said that all concerned have carried out their responsibilities with utmost diligence. This year, under the SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) programme, extensive awareness campaigns were conducted to encourage greater voter participation across the State, resulting in a large voter turnout.
To strengthen the monitoring mechanism, webcasting facilities were arranged in accordance with the Commission’s directions. Webcasting was enabled in all 31,490 polling stations, including 31,486 main polling stations and 4 auxiliary polling stations. This allowed real-time monitoring of polling processes from the offices of the District Election Officers, the Chief Electoral Officer, and the Election Commission of India. Further, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), including CRPF personnel, were deployed to ensure security at polling stations. Micro observers were also deputed in the sensitive polling stations to ensure the smooth conduct of polling. A total of 1,51,132 polling personnel were deployed to conduct the election. For polling purposes, 41,320 Ballot Units, 43,975 Control Units, and 43,997 VVPAT machines were arranged, including reserves for emergency use.
It should be mentioned that 722 candidates were in the fray in the Assam assembly election, and a total of 2,50,54,463 electors were registered in the state. This includes 1,25,31,552 male voters, 1,25,22,593 female voters, and 318 voters in the Transgender category. There were also 63,423 service voters. Among the electorate, 6,42,314 voters are aged 18–19 years, 2,50,006 are aged 80 and above, and 2,05,085 are persons with disabilities. Further, as per Section 60(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Election Commission has provided the optional facility of voting from home through postal ballot for senior citizens aged 85 and above and persons with disabilities identified under the Act. Accordingly, a total of 26,032 senior citizens (85+) and 8,373 persons with disabilities have exercised their voting rights by postal ballot from home.
