Assam and Puducherry registered their highest-ever voter turnout in Assembly elections as polling across three regions concluded peacefully on Thursday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said.
According to provisional data, Assam recorded a turnout of 85.38%, surpassing its previous high of 84.67% in 2016, while Puducherry achieved a record 89.83%, exceeding its earlier peak of 86.19% in 2011. Kerala also witnessed strong participation, with voter turnout estimated at 78.03%.
Polling was held for 296 Assembly constituencies across Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, with a combined electorate of over 5.31 crore voters. Simultaneously, by-elections were conducted in four Assembly constituencies across Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura.
Smooth and Peaceful Polling
ECI said that voting began at 7 a.m. and remained largely peaceful, with only minor incidents reported. Over 63,000 polling stations were set up, and more than 2.5 lakh polling personnel were deployed to ensure smooth conduct.
For the first time, 100% of polling stations in these elections were monitored through live webcasting. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. S.S. Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, closely monitored the process.
Mock polls were conducted before voting commenced in the presence of over 1.8 lakh polling agents representing 1,899 candidates, ensuring transparency in the process.
Voter-Friendly Measures Introduced
The elections featured several new voter-centric initiatives aimed at improving accessibility and transparency. These included colour photographs of candidates on EVM ballot units, redesigned Voter Information Slips for better readability, and Mobile Deposit Facilities at polling stations.
Special arrangements were also made for Persons with Disabilities (PwD), including wheelchairs, volunteer assistance, and transport facilities to polling booths. Additionally, the number of voters per polling station was capped at 1,200 to reduce crowding.
Bye-Elections See Strong Participation
Among the by-elections, voter turnout ranged from around 68% in constituencies in Karnataka to over 82% in Nagaland and 80% in Tripura, reflecting steady participation levels across regions.
International Observation and Monitoring
As part of the International Election Visitors’ Programme, 38 delegates from 22 countries observed the polling process, highlighting India’s continued engagement with global electoral best practices.
ECI noted that turnout figures are provisional and do not yet include service voters and postal ballots. Final figures will be released later through official Election Commission records.
