Guwahati, April 9: Assam witnessed brisk voter turnout in the opening hours of polling for the 2026 Assembly elections on Thursday, with long queues reported across several constituencies despite a cloudy sky and intermittent rain throughout the state.
Polling began at 7 am across all 126 constituencies in a crucial single-phase election that will decide the political future of the state. The contest sees the ruling BJP aiming for a third consecutive term, while the Congress is attempting a comeback after losing power in 2016.
An electorate of over 2.5 crore voters — including 1.25 crore women and 318 from the third gender — is eligible to vote across 31,490 polling stations. A total of 722 candidates are in the fray.
Early visuals from Guwahati indicated strong participation, with long queues seen at polling stations such as Kharghuli Lal Singh Academy High School in New Guwahati. Similar enthusiasm was reported from multiple centres across the city.
Prominent candidates in the fray include Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi, and AJP chief Lurinjyoti Gogoi.
Candidates and voters alike struck an optimistic tone. AJP candidate Kunki Chowdhury, after casting her vote in Guwahati Central, said the participation of young candidates signals a push for systemic change. BJP candidate Pradyut Bordoloi cast his vote in Nagaon and said development remains a key electoral factor.
Meanwhile, Gaurav Gogoi emphasised strengthening democratic roots in Assam, while Himanta Biswa Sarma performed rituals at his residence before heading out to vote.
Four-time Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukan cast his ballot at Sonali Sangha Polling Station at Khania Goan, Dibrugarh. Despite the rain, people were standing in queues at various polling stations in Dibrugarh.
The Election Commission has deployed extensive security arrangements, including Central Armed Police Forces, and enabled webcasting at nearly all polling stations for real-time monitoring. Voter awareness drives under SVEEP have also contributed to the strong turnout.
Despite light rain and overcast conditions, polling has remained peaceful so far, with officials expecting steady participation through the day as Assam votes in one of its most closely watched elections in recent years.
Also Read: Garobadha PIC upgraded to Police Outpost, brought under SWGH police jurisdiction
Also Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
