News Desk: Polling across Assam, Kerala and Puducherry recorded a strong and steady voter response on Thursday, reflecting heightened political engagement in all three regions. From early morning hours, voters queued up at polling stations, with participation remaining robust through the day and continuing till the close of voting.
According to official data, Puducherry registered the highest turnout at 89.08 percent by 6 pm, setting the pace among the three. Assam followed with an impressive 85.04 percent, while Kerala recorded 77.38 percent, indicating consistent voter enthusiasm across diverse electoral landscapes.
𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐀𝐭 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐞 | 𝟎𝟗-𝟎𝟒-𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Tonight’s Top Headlines👇
🎙️Polling ends peacefully for Assembly Elections in Assam, Keralam, and Puducherry; Assam registers over 85% voter turnout; Keralam over 78% and Puducherry about 89%.
🎙️Campaigning intensifies for Assembly… pic.twitter.com/zKrt6H2yAr
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) April 9, 2026
Assam Surpasses Previous Benchmark Amid Tight Contest
In Assam, polling was conducted across all 126 Assembly constituencies, witnessing a surge in voter participation that surpassed the 82.04 percent turnout recorded in the 2021 elections. By the end of polling hours, the state had already crossed its previous benchmark, underscoring a keenly contested political environment.
The electoral battle in Assam remains intense, with the BJP-led NDA aiming to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress is striving to regain power after nearly a decade out of office. The high turnout is being seen as a reflection of this competitive political scenario.
Among constituencies, Dalgaon recorded the highest turnout at 94.57 percent, showcasing exceptional voter mobilisation, whereas Amri reported the lowest at 70.40 percent. A total of 722 candidates are contesting in this single-phase election.
Voting began at 7 am and was conducted smoothly across more than 31,000 polling stations spanning 35 districts, with election authorities reporting largely peaceful proceedings.
Kerala Sees Steady and Improved Participation
Kerala also witnessed steady polling across all 140 constituencies, with voters turning out in significant numbers throughout the day. Although polling officially concluded at 6 pm, voters present at polling stations before the deadline were permitted to cast their votes, ensuring maximum participation.
By late afternoon, the turnout stood at 77.38 percent—noticeably higher than the 74.06 percent recorded in the 2021 Assembly elections. Officials expect the final turnout figure to rise further once all queued voters complete the voting process.
The consistent turnout trend highlights sustained political awareness and participation among voters in the state.
Puducherry Records Highest Turnout
The Union Territory of Puducherry emerged as the top performer in terms of voter participation, with turnout crossing the 89 percent mark by the close of polling.
Voting for all 30 Assembly constituencies concluded in an orderly manner, with authorities ensuring that every voter in queue was able to exercise their franchise.
The contest in Puducherry remains politically significant, with the NDA seeking to retain power, while the Congress-led alliance is mounting a determined challenge against the incumbent AINRC-led government, focusing on governance issues and administrative performance.
High Stakes, Higher Participation
The strong turnout across Assam, Kerala and Puducherry underscores a high level of voter engagement and signals potentially decisive electoral outcomes. With competitive contests underway in all three regions, the voting patterns indicate that the results could reflect tightly fought political battles, making the upcoming counting day crucial for all major players.
