Assembly elections: record turnout in Assam and Puducherry; Kerala is witnessing its highest levels in decades amid one-phase polls

Assembly elections in Assam and Puducherry produced record voter turnouts on Thursday, while Kerala recorded its highest turnout in nearly four decades, with all three going to the polls in a single phase — and a sharp decline in electoral rolls may have inflated key percentages in all three.

Election Commission data till 11 pm showed turnout in Assam at 85.83% of 25 million voters, Kerala at 78.27% of 27.1 million voters, and Puducherry at 89.87% of 950,311. All three improved significantly from the 2021 figures of 82.05%, 74.06% and 81.7% respectively. The previous best results were 84.64% in Assam in 2016, 79.9% in Kerala in 1987, and 85.7% in Puducherry in 2006 – meaning Assam and Puducherry set new records while Kerala fell slightly from its peak in 1987 – although the poll body is expected to release final turnout figures only later.

An important factor in the high percentages was the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls in Kerala and Puducherry, and the Special Review (SR) in Assam. The total number of voters in Kerala fell by 8.42% from 27.9 million, in Puducherry by 11.67% from 1.2 million, and in Assam by 0.97% from 25.2 million – the latter also reflecting the delimitation of Assembly and Parliament seats in 2023. A smaller denominator inflates turnout even when absolute voter numbers remain comparable.

The votes will be counted on May 4, along with the states of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

The Election Commission said that the polling process in the three states and the Union Territory was peaceful, with isolated incidents of violence occurring in a few places.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is contesting his third consecutive election from the party’s stronghold of Dharmadam, cast his vote at a polling station at a higher primary school in Pinarayi village. Opposition leader V D Sathisan voted with his family members at a booth at Kesari Arts and Science College in Paravur, a constituency he has represented continuously since 2001. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar also voted in the early hours.

Read also | Kerala recorded a voter turnout of 78%, higher than the 21 assembly polls

“Kerala is on its way to becoming a developed state with achievements in various sectors that should continue uninterrupted. People realize that only the LDF can take the state forward,” Vijayan said after the vote.

Sathisan predicted a sweep by the United Democratic Front, claiming that the alliance would win more than 100 of the 140 seats. “In the past three months, I have traveled across the state four times. I have a clear understanding of the public mood,” he said.

Chandrasekhar urged voters to participate in large numbers and vote for change. “The NDA’s strong showing in these elections will change the political discourse in Kerala,” he said.

Two people died after collapsing at polling stations in Thrissur and Kollam districts – one a voter and the other a polling official – both of natural causes. There were reports of clashes between party workers in a few places.

In the elections in which eight film personalities contested, many Malayalam stars came out to vote. After casting his vote in the state capital, Mohanlal wrote on social media: “I have done my part. Your turn, Keralam, go vote.” “An opportunity comes once every five years, and people have to come forward and cast their votes,” said Mammootty, who cast his vote with his family members in Kochi. Prithviraj Sukumaran also voiced.

The Pakistan News Agency reported that about 30 people were injured and seven were arrested in election-related violence across the state.

The most serious incident took place in Patharkandi constituency in Sribhumi district, where Congress candidate Kartik Sena Sinha allegedly entered the polling booth in Rangamati and broke the electronic voting machine, sparking a clash between Congress and BJP workers. Sinha is directly contesting against Assam Minister and BJP candidate Krishnendu Paul. “Around 25 people were injured, two of them in serious condition. They have been sent to Karimganj Civil Hospital for treatment,” a senior police officer said. Voting was suspended for three hours before resuming after the EVM was replaced.

Read also | Assembly Elections 2026: Assam records more than 85% polling

Other clashes between party workers were reported in Dibrugarh, Khuang and Nadwar. Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh told PTI that violence broke out in Tamulpur and Sivasagar on Wednesday evening, hours before the start of polling. He added, “The police arrived at the scene immediately and tried to control the crowd. When they did not listen, I fired a few bullets into the air to disperse the mob.” Four people were arrested.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, which has been in power since 2016 and is seeking a third consecutive term, is competing for 90 seats, with its allies Asom Gana Parishad (26 seats) and the Bodoland People’s Party (11 seats). The Congress Party, which is trying to make a comeback through a six-party alliance, is competing for 99 seats. Its partners are Raijor Dal (13), Assam Jatiya Parishad (10), CPI(M) (3) and All Party Leaders’ Conference (2).

Prime Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: “What we set out to do was not just to contest the elections, but to turn it into a movement – a movement to protect our civilizational values, our culture and our land.”

“We are very confident that the people of Assam will vote to change the atmosphere of fear and widespread corruption and exercise their right to a peaceful and developed state – ‘Por Asom’ (Greater Assam),” state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi said before casting his vote in Jorhat.