THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Polling for the 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry concluded on Thursday. Voting was largely peaceful, with strong voter participation across all regions.
In Kerala, voting for all 140 Assembly seats ended at 6 p.m. Voters who were still in queues at closing time were given tokens and allowed to cast their votes.
Kerala Sees Slight Rise in Voter Turnout
Kerala recorded a voter turnout of 75.01% by 5 p.m., slightly higher than the 74.06% turnout in the 2021 Assembly elections. The steady turnout reflects continued voter engagement in the state.
Assam Records Over 84% Voting
In Assam, polling ended at 5 p.m. across all 126 constituencies. The state registered an estimated 84.42% voter turnout, surpassing the 82.04% recorded in 2021.
Puducherry Witnesses Record Participation
Puducherry reported a voter turnout of 86.92% by 5 p.m., the highest since 1977. The previous record was 86% in 2006, while 82.2% votes were polled in the 2021 elections.
Tripura By-Election Also Sees Strong Turnout
The Dharmanagar Assembly by-election in Tripura recorded a turnout of 79.84%. Despite bad weather, polling remained peaceful, and voters participated in large numbers.
Earlier Turnout Trends
By 3 p.m., turnout stood at:
- Puducherry: 72.4%
- Assam: 75.91%
- Kerala: 62.71%
Overall Voting Peaceful
Officials reported peaceful polling across all regions, with no major incidents. High voter turnout highlights strong democratic participation in the 2026 Assembly elections.