Assam, Puducherry Record Highest-Ever Voter Turnouts
Record Voter Turnouts in Multiple States
Assembly polls held in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry on Thursday witnessed record voter turnouts, described by Election Commission officials as a “validation” of intensive revision of electoral rolls and a sign of public trust in the electoral process. Voter turnout exceeded previous records, achieving all-time highs of 91.2% in Puducherry and 85.8% in Assam. Kerala recorded a turnout of 78.2%, marking the state’s highest figure since 1987. Election officials indicated that final turnout numbers might increase after the consolidation of reports.
Puducherry surpassed its previous high of 86.2% from the 2011 elections, while Assam exceeded its 2016 turnout record of 84.7%, which occurred when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed its first government, ending Congress’s three-term rule. Notably, this turnout in Assam is the highest since the state’s first elections in 1951.
Statements from Election Officials
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar characterized the polls as a “historic testimony not only for India but for the entire democratic world,” commending voters in both Assam and Puducherry. An Election Commission (EC) official referenced the Bihar elections held in November 2025, noting that they recorded the state’s highest turnout ever, drawing parallels to the successes seen in the recently concluded assembly polls.
The official attributed the increased voter turnout to the removal of deceased, shifted, absent, and duplicate voters from the rolls, thus enhancing the turnout percentages. Another member of the EC stated that door-to-door enumeration also served as a voter awareness campaign, fostering greater participation. “It made the electors aware of their voting rights, leading to heightened enthusiasm,” the official added.
Demographics and Voting Trends in Assam
In Assam, voter participation varied significantly across different demographics. Constituencies with majority Muslim populations recorded the highest turnouts, with Dalgaon in Darrang district achieving a notable 94.5% turnout. Fifteen similar constituencies surpassed the 90% mark, while the Hindu-majority areas in Upper Assam had a lower turnout of about 82%, slightly below the state average and reduced compared to 2021 figures.
Bodo regions reported an average turnout of 85%, and Barak Valley achieved 82.9%. In contrast, hill districts such as Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao recorded the lowest voter turnout at 74.2%. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the overall participation as “not ordinary but historic” and expressed optimism about securing a large majority, suggesting the BJP might win over 90 seats in the 126-member assembly.
Voting Conditions and Participation in Kerala
The single-phase election in Assam was marked by sporadic clashes in several constituencies, resulting in injuries to around 30 individuals and the arrest of seven people. In Kerala, voters braved the heat, with multiple districts recording turnout rates exceeding 80%. Queues at polling stations continued past the official closing time, reflective of strong voter engagement. Prominent political figures, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Congress leader V D Satheesan, and BJP member Rajeev Chandrasekhar, participated in the voting early in the day.
Cultural figures in Kerala, including actors Mammootty, Mohanlal, Suraj Venjaramoodu, and Asif Ali, also cast their votes. First-time voters in Thiruvananthapuram were greeted with halwa boxes and thank-you cards as part of a community outreach initiative, further encouraging civic engagement among the electorate.
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Contents
Record Voter Turnouts in Multiple StatesAssembly polls held in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry on Thursday witnessed record voter turnouts, described by Election Commission officials as a “validation” of intensive revision of electoral rolls and a sign of public trust in the electoral process. Voter turnout exceeded previous records, achieving all-time highs of 91.2% in Puducherry and 85.8% in Assam. Kerala recorded a turnout of 78.2%, marking the state’s highest figure since 1987. Election officials indicated that final turnout numbers might increase after the consolidation of reports.Puducherry surpassed its previous high of 86.2% from the 2011 elections, while Assam exceeded its 2016 turnout record of 84.7%, which occurred when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed its first government, ending Congress’s three-term rule. Notably, this turnout in Assam is the highest since the state’s first elections in 1951.Statements from Election OfficialsChief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar characterized the polls as a “historic testimony not only for India but for the entire democratic world,” commending voters in both Assam and Puducherry. An Election Commission (EC) official referenced the Bihar elections held in November 2025, noting that they recorded the state’s highest turnout ever, drawing parallels to the successes seen in the recently concluded assembly polls.The official attributed the increased voter turnout to the removal of deceased, shifted, absent, and duplicate voters from the rolls, thus enhancing the turnout percentages. Another member of the EC stated that door-to-door enumeration also served as a voter awareness campaign, fostering greater participation. “It made the electors aware of their voting rights, leading to heightened enthusiasm,” the official added.Demographics and Voting Trends in AssamIn Assam, voter participation varied significantly across different demographics. Constituencies with majority Muslim populations recorded the highest turnouts, with Dalgaon in Darrang district achieving a notable 94.5% turnout. Fifteen similar constituencies surpassed the 90% mark, while the Hindu-majority areas in Upper Assam had a lower turnout of about 82%, slightly below the state average and reduced compared to 2021 figures.Bodo regions reported an average turnout of 85%, and Barak Valley achieved 82.9%. In contrast, hill districts such as Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao recorded the lowest voter turnout at 74.2%. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the overall participation as “not ordinary but historic” and expressed optimism about securing a large majority, suggesting the BJP might win over 90 seats in the 126-member assembly.Voting Conditions and Participation in KeralaThe single-phase election in Assam was marked by sporadic clashes in several constituencies, resulting in injuries to around 30 individuals and the arrest of seven people. In Kerala, voters braved the heat, with multiple districts recording turnout rates exceeding 80%. Queues at polling stations continued past the official closing time, reflective of strong voter engagement. Prominent political figures, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Congress leader V D Satheesan, and BJP member Rajeev Chandrasekhar, participated in the voting early in the day.Cultural figures in Kerala, including actors Mammootty, Mohanlal, Suraj Venjaramoodu, and Asif Ali, also cast their votes. First-time voters in Thiruvananthapuram were greeted with halwa boxes and thank-you cards as part of a community outreach initiative, further encouraging civic engagement among the electorate.
