Assam assembly elections: Youth electorate swells to 72.8L, to play decisive role

GUWAHATI: Assam’s youth electorate (18-29 age group) has emerged as a decisive political force, rising from 69.35 lakh in 2021 to 72.83 lakh in 2026, marking a 5.02% expansion ahead of the polls.

The most dramatic surge came in the 18–19 age group that jumped by 24.16%, climbing to 6.28 lakh now from 5.05 lakh in 2021 and boosting their share within the broader 18–29 bloc from 7.29% to 8.62%.

Assam has 2.5 crore electors as on March 15; of which 6.28 lakh belong to the 18-19 age group, while 66.55 lakh belong to 20-29 age group. Besides this, 1.02 lakh voters are of 85 years of age and above, while 2,482 are centenarian electors and 2.04 lakh are PWD electors.

Sensing the shifting electoral winds, BJP has described this strengthened pool of 72.83 lakh young voters as the “backbone” of its electoral strategy.

Assam Pradesh BJP chief spokesperson Kishore Kumar Upadhyay said the BJP govt has introduced a series of forward-looking initiatives aimed at empowering the state’s youth. He asserted that strengthening ‘Yuva Shakti’ has consistently remained one of the core priorities of the BJP administration.

He added that establishing the Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility at a cost of Rs 27,000 crore at Jagirod in Morigaon district is the latest example of BJP’s youth-centric moves.

Upadhyay said the recruitment of 1.65 lakh youths into govt jobs through a free, fair and transparent process, without candidates having to spend a single rupee, reflects the BJP govt’s commitment to securing the future of Assam’s younger generation. He added that a range of student-centric measures — ensuring that many can continue their education without financial burden — further demonstrates this focus. Upadhyay also highlighted that beneficiary schemes such as Orunodoi, aimed at supporting economically weaker sections, have significantly empowered families across the state.

He added that the state’s large youth voter base has clearly witnessed the contrast between the pre-BJP era and the period under the BJP-led govt. According to him, this segment — having experienced the shift on the ground — will play a decisive role in the upcoming election and remains a key pillar of BJP’s strength.

Countering BJP’s assertions, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) media department chairman Bedabrat Bora claimed that “nearly 80% of the 72.83 lakh young voters are inclined towards the opposition, as they have noted the unfulfilled promises of the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP govt.”

He further argued that the 1.65 lakh govt jobs highlighted by BJP were merely appointments made against existing vacancies, not newly created posts. Bora said if BJP now questions the use of unfair means in govt recruitment during the Congress era, the CM must also clarify how such irregularities occurred when he himself held several key departments during that period, and how his own family members secured govt jobs in those years.

He alleged that young voters have not forgotten that justice in the Zubeen Garg death case remains pending. Bora claimed that “an incomplete and weak chargesheet” was filed in the case, leading the court to order the de-freezing of the bank accounts of Shyamkanu Mahanta, one of the accused. “The youth are closely watching how the case progresses,” he added.

Bora also said young voters have taken note of the fact that the Himanta Biswa Sarma–led govt had accused APCC president Gaurav Gogoi of having links with Pakistan, but was unable to substantiate the charge.

He argued that leaders like Gaurav Gogoi and Rahul Gandhi resonate strongly with younger voters, adding, “Both are youth leaders. People want to see Rahul Gandhi at the Centre and Gaurav Gogoi in the state govt.”