Assam Election 2026 Live Updates: Polling ends in Assam, voter turnout 84.42 per cent

Polling ends in Assam, voter turnout 84.42 per cent

An estimated 84.42 per cent voter turnout was recorded as polling ended at 5 PM on Thursday in all 126 assembly constituencies of Assam, surpassing the previous 82.04 per cent voting in the 2021 elections, officials said.

The BJP-led NDA is seeking a third consecutive term in power in Assam, while the Congress is striving to reclaim a state it lost a decade ago.

Dalgaon recorded the highest voting at 94.57 per cent, while the lowest turnout was in Amri at 70.40 per cent, they said.

A total of 722 candidates are in the fray in this single-phase election, which is largely witnessing a direct contest between the BJP-led ruling coalition and the opposition bloc helmed by the Congress.

Votes were cast at 31,490 polling stations across 35 districts of the state, with polling commencing at 7 am and continuing till 5 pm, the officials said.

FIR filed over video made inside polling station in Assam

A police complaint is filed by the Karbi Anglong district administration in Assam after a video surfaces on social media, allegedly showing the voting process inside a polling station.

Officials say the video is reportedly shot inside a booth in the Diphu constituency, which raises serious concerns about violation of election rules. An inquiry is now underway to verify the authenticity of the footage and identify those involved.

As per Election Commission guidelines, mobile phones and electronic devices are strictly banned inside polling stations. Voters are required to deposit such items before entering the booth.

Authorities confirm that an FIR is registered under provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and warn that strict legal action will follow if violations are confirmed.

Polling for the 126-member Assam Assembly begins at 7 am and continues till 5 pm, with counting scheduled for May 4.

Congress files FIR against Udalguri Assembly candidate who quit party ahead of voting

"We have filed a complaint against Suren Daimari, Candidate from Udalguri Assembly Constituency, who gave statements against the party and resigned. We want an FIR to be registered against him...We always supported him, but the allegations being levelled by him against us are not true," said General Secretary (Organisation) of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), Ramanna Baruah.

Mood for change sweeping across Assam, says Cong ally Akhil Gogoi

As Assam voted on Thursday to elect members to its 126-seat Legislative Assembly, Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi expressed strong optimism about a political shift in the state, asserting that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would be unseated.

Addressing reporters, Gogoi said that public sentiment was clearly turning against the incumbent government, citing widespread dissatisfaction among voters. “There is a strong mood for change across Assam. People are unhappy with the BJP government and are determined to bring in a new government. It is certain that the BJP will be voted out and the opposition will form the next government,” he said.

The Sivasagar constituency candidate also voiced confidence in his own electoral prospects, predicting a substantial victory margin. “I am confident of winning from Sivasagar by more than 50,000 votes. The people are eager for change, and that is visible in the turnout and enthusiasm,” he added.

Assam polls: Female voters hail Women's Reservation Bill

Women who arrived to cast their votes in the Assam Assembly election, on Thursday, hailed the Women’s Reservation Bill. They appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "work" towards women empowerment and hoped the Bill will pave the way for women to come forward and raise their voices.

Notably, PM Modi shared a video message on Thursday, urging collective support for the Women’s Reservation Bill.

The government plans to introduce amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Act (Women Reservation Act) during the upcoming three-day special session of Parliament. Under the Bill, 33 per cent of seats will be reserved for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.

Referring to a signed article posted on his website, PM Modi urged citizens to read and share it widely, and to motivate political parties to support the legislation. He called for collective action during the upcoming Parliament sittings on April 16, 17, and 18.

AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal cast his vote in Hojai, appeals for support in Assam polls

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal on Thursday cast vote at a polling station at Bordongki Government LP School in Hojai as voting is under way for the Assam Assembly elections.

He expressed strong voter enthusiasm for the party in the state, urging support for justice for Zubeen Garg.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Ajmal said, "We are feeling enthusiasm among people for the lock and key symbol everywhere in Assam... Vote for AIUDF for justice to Zubeen Garg, education, and technology."

Assam recorded a significant voter turnout of 59.63 per cent, as of 1 pm today, as per the data shared by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the ongoing 2026 Assembly elections.

Assam Congress spokespersons circulating forged documents of foreign governments, alleges state BJP

BJP's Assam unit on Wednesday alleged that Assam Congress spokespersons are circulating "forged documents of foreign governments" with an intention to influence the state assembly polls and urged people to be aware of such attempts.

"BEWARE: @INCAssam spokespersons are circulating forged documents of foreign governments with an intention to influence #AssamElections as well as irreparably damage India's diplomatic relations with friendly nations," BJP Assam Pradesh said in a post on X.

The post of BJP Assam Pradesh shared images of "forged documents" with "FAKE" prominently marked on them.

The BJP and Congress have been in war of words after allegations were made by Congress leader Pawan Khera against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife.

Khera had made allegations at a press conference in the national capital. Both the Chief Minister and his wife have strongly refuted the allegations.

Riniki Bhuyan Sharma had lodged an FIR against Khera and the Assam Police carried out searches at his residence in the national capital on Tuesday.

Khera had alleged that the Chief Minister's wife holds three passports and certain properties were not disclosed in Sarma's election affidavit.

Sarma also launched a sharp attack on the Congress, alleging that its leaders were resorting to "deception" and pushing Khera towards more legal trouble through their actions.

"Congress leaders are so desperate today that they are pushing Pawan Khera towards jail with their own actions. Once again, through him, they have released another set of completely fabricated documents -- already exposed by our team. This is not politics anymore. This is outright deception," he said.

"The Congress ecosystem has lost all sense of responsibility. In just a few hours, the people of Assam will give a fitting reply -- and the Congress leadership will pay the price for this deceit," he added.

Assam will go to the polls today.

Young voters to play decisive role this assembly elections

The state’s young voters have emerged as a decisive force, with the numbers in the 18–29 age group rising from 69.35 lakh in 2021 to 72.83 lakh in 2026 — a 5.02% expansion. The biggest surge has come from first-time voters in the 18–19 age bracket, which jumped by 24.16%, climbing to 6.28 lakh from 5.05 lakh five years ago. Their share within the broader youth bloc has grown from 7.29% to 8.62%, underscoring the growing weight of young voices in shaping Assam’s electoral outcome.

There are 721 candidates in fray, which include 59 women. The youngest candidate is a 27-year-old girl, Kunki Chowdhury in Guwahati Central constituency. The master’s degree holder in educational leadership from University College in London has been pitted by Congress ally, AJP, against BJP’s one of the oldest members, 70-year-old Vijay Kumar Gupta.

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma is seeking his sixth consecutive term from Jalukbari constituency. On the opposite side, Congress’s Gaurav Gogoi is making his debut in assembly elections from Jorhat constituency, from where his late father, former CM Tarun Gogoi, started his political career as a member of Jorhat municipal board in 1968. EC is optimistic about a high turnout of voters but is also concerned about the weather.

Guwahati: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Wednesday said it has lodged complaints at two police stations in Assam against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for allegedly likening RSS and BJP to a “poisonous snake” during an election rally.

The complaints were filed seeking legal action over allegedly “derogatory, provocative, and communally sensitive statements” made during a recent election rally in south Assam, an RSS spokesman said.

The RSS alleged in its complaints that Kharge made the controversial remarks at a rally in Nilambazar under the Karimganj South assembly constituency in Sribhumi district on April 6.

Kharge was quoted in the complaints as saying: “If a poisonous snake is moving in front of you while you are offering namaz, you must stop the prayer and rush to kill the poisonous snake first — that is what the Quran prescribes you to do. I tell you that the RSS and BJP are like that same poisonous snake; if you do not eliminate a poisonous snake like the RSS and BJP, you may not survive.”

Khagen Saikia, Prant Karyavah of RSS Uttar Assam Prant, filed the complaint at Dispur police station in Guwahati, while Jyotsnamoy Chakraborty, Prant Sanghchalak of RSS Dakshin Assam Prant, lodged a complaint at Silchar police station. The RSS expressed serious concern that the remarks are inflammatory and capable of inciting hostility, intimidation, and violence against RSS and BJP workers and supporters, particularly given their invocation of religious sentiments during an election campaign.

Arunachal CM urges people of Assam to vote with confidence

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday urged the electors of Assam to actively participate in the ongoing assembly elections, stressing that every vote has the power to shape the future of the state and strengthen the spirit of democracy.


Calling upon citizens to exercise their franchise with enthusiasm, Khandu particularly encouraged young voters and women to come forward and take part in the democratic process with confidence.


“As voting begins across Assam, I warmly call upon every citizen to step forward and take part in this important democratic exercise. Each vote carries the power to shape the future of the state,” the chief minister said in a post on X.


“I particularly urge our young voters and women to participate with confidence and enthusiasm. Let us come together to uphold the spirit of democracy and turn this moment into a proud expression of our collective responsibility,” he added.


Polling for all 126 assembly constituencies in Assam is underway on Thursday, and the electoral fate of 722 candidates will be decided, officials said.


In the high-stakes election, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is aiming for a third consecutive term in office, while the Congress is seeking to regain power after being ousted in 2016.


Polling, being held in a single phase, started at 7 am and will continue till 5 pm.


An electorate of about 2.50 crore voters, including 1.25 crore women and 318 individuals from the third gender, is eligible to cast their votes at 31,490 polling stations set up across the state.


Among the prominent candidates in the fray are Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi, Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary, Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia, Badruddin Ajmal of All India United Democratic Front, Akhil Gogoi of Raijor Dal, and Lurinjyoti Gogoi of Assam Jatiya Parishad.

5 constituencies of Dhubri dist set for voting

Poll officials from five assembly constituencies of Dhubri district collected EVMs from PC Institution and PB College centres at Gauripur for 1,548 polling stations and moved to their respective destinations, reports Bijoy Sharma. A total of 12,20,384 voters will decide the fate of 34 candidates across the five assembly constituencies of the district.

As many as 6,192 presiding officers and polling officials have moved to their assigned polling stations ahead of Wednesday’s poll.

The state’s young voters have emerged as a decisive force, with the numbers in the 18–29 age group rising from 69.35 lakh in 2021 to 72.83 lakh in 2026 — a 5.02% expansion. The biggest surge has come from first-time voters in the 18–19 age bracket, which jumped by 24.16%, climbing to 6.28 lakh from 5.05 lakh five years ago. Their share within the broader youth bloc has grown from 7.29% to 8.62%, underscoring the growing weight of young voices in shaping Assam’s electoral outcome.

There are 721 candidates in fray, which include 59 women. The youngest candidate is a 27-year-old girl, Kunki Chowdhury in Guwahati Central constituency. The master’s degree holder in educational leadership from University College in London has been pitted by Congress ally, AJP, against BJP’s one of the oldest members, 70-year-old Vijay Kumar Gupta.

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma is seeking his sixth consecutive term from Jalukbari constituency. On the opposite side, Congress’s Gaurav Gogoi is making his debut in assembly elections from Jorhat constituency, from where his late father, former CM Tarun Gogoi, started his political career as a member of Jorhat municipal board in 1968. EC is optimistic about a high turnout of voters but is also concerned about the weather.

Assam records 38.92% voter turnout till 11 am in Assembly polls

Assam witnessed a voter turnout of 38.92 per cent as of 11 am in the ongoing Assembly elections, indicating steady participation across constituencies as polling continues.

Assam polls: Himanta Biswa Sarma offers prayers at Kamakhya, says “It is polling day today in Assam…”

Assam Chief Minister and Jalukbari candidate Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "It is polling day today in Assam. I had the fortune to have a darshan of Maa Kamakhya on the polling day. May Assam flourish and people of the state advance, I prayed this to Maa..."

A sharp rise in outbound travel triggered chaos in key areas of the city on Wednesday, leaving many passengers struggling to secure a ride back to their respective districts. The sudden rush sparked frustration amid steep fare hikes, as many raced against time to cast their votes.

The NH-27 stretch from Khanapara to Jalukbari witnessed chaotic scenes, as voters formed long queues and overcrowded the area, waiting for hours for inter-district buses that largely failed to arrive. The crunch worsened as many of these buses had been reserved for election duties, forcing travellers to turn to private vehicles and shared taxis, often at inflated fares.

Akash Das, a voter from Nagaon district who works in Guwahati, said he had been waiting along the Jorabat stretch for over an hour without finding any transport. “I have not found any buses so far. I have to go to Samaguri village to cast my vote. There are no buses, and the taxis that are running are charging between Rs 600 and Rs 1,000. Earlier, the usual fare was Rs 300.”

In the Basistha area, stranded passengers alleged that the situation was particularly hard on students and daily wage earners. Divyanshu Das, a student heading to Kaziranga, said, “We have no option but to pay. I will be casting my vote for the first time. The driver has asked me to pay Rs 800 — usually it is between Rs 300 and Rs 400.”

The situation was no different in Jalukbari, from where vehicles depart towards lower Assam. With regular transport unavailable, many passengers resorted to pickup tempos and trucks to make their way home.

However, drivers and transport operators defended the fare hike, citing rising operational costs and increased workload. Many said they were making multiple trips in a day to meet the surge in demand.

Assam Election 2026 Live Updates: Zubeen row dominates Assam campaign, fans push back

The legacy of Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg has become a flashpoint in the ongoing election campaign, with political parties trading sharp accusations even as fans express discomfort over his name being dragged into politics.

Visits by leaders to “Zubeen Kshetra”, a memorial at the site of the singer’s cremation — have increased in recent weeks, turning the space into a political battleground. State Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi has alleged that the government formed an SIT to “hide” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s alleged links with those accused in the case, referring to festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta. He also accused the BJP of going against Zubeen’s ideals and disrespecting his legacy.

The chief minister, however, hit back, stating in the Assembly that it is “on the record” that the singer was murdered. He accused the Congress of politicising the memorial and said he would not visit the site until elections conclude. Akhil Gogoi also criticised the handling of the case, alleging that the probe had been turned into a “political show” and that the government was “dramatising” the death for electoral gains.

The Congress, in its manifesto, has promised justice for Zubeen within 100 days if voted to power — a move Sarma termed a “sin”. Opposition leaders have maintained that the “mystery” around the singer’s death remains unresolved, citing differing conclusions by investigating agencies in India and Singapore. The chief minister, however, insisted there was “no difference” between the findings.
Despite the political slugfest, many fans of “Zubeen da” have voiced discomfort, saying the singer would not have wanted his legacy to be used for electoral gains.

Assam records 17.87% voter turnout till 9 am in Assembly polls

Assam reported an approximate voter turnout of 17.87 per cent as of 9 am in the ongoing Assembly elections, according to early data. Polling began at 7 am across 126 constituencies, with steady participation seen in several districts.

As the sun sets over the silent campaigning across the lush tea gardens and bustling markets of southern Assam, the 13 assembly constituencies of the Barak Valley brace for a pivotal showdown on Thursday.

This election marks the valley’s first major electoral test following the 2023 delimitation exercise, which reduced the number of seats from 15 to 13 and fundamentally altered the political map of Cachar, Hailakandi, and Sribumi districts.

BJP, led by the high-decibel campaigning of chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is aiming to consolidate its hold over this Bengali-speaking heartland. The party has anchored its narrative in a blend of infrastructure development and cultural identity, pitching the recent renaming of Karimganj to Sribumi as a restoration of historical pride. For the saffron party, a sweep in the valley is seen as crucial to offset potential fluctuations in upper Assam and to demonstrate that its “double-engine” growth model resonates with the state’s linguistic minorities.

An unusual movement of voters by buses and trains from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, and a few other states to districts in lower Assam came to light in the last 24 hours ahead of the polling day. Lower Assam is known to be vulnerable to the influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh. However, allegations have also surfaced regarding Hindi-speaking voters attempting to vote illegally in the Assam election.

In Barpeta district, many Muslim voters arriving by rail since Tuesday said they work outside the state and had returned to vote in constituencies like Jania, Mandia, and other seats in lower Assam where Muslim voters play a decisive role. A large crowd gathered at Barpeta Road railway station, which connects to several Muslim-majority seats. “People usually come in such large numbers during elections. We are keeping a vigil, and if any complaint arises, we will take action,” said Barpeta SP Pushkin Jain.

Sources said many Muslim families fear their citizenship may be questioned if they do not vote. “I have come from UP to vote in Mandia. I arrive just ahead of elections because I belong to this land,” said a youth.

Congress candidate from Dispur, Mira Borthakur Goswami, on Wednesday, caught a voter from UP, Dilraj Singh, who allegedly approached her asking if she needed his vote. Borthakur claimed the boy, who possessed an “IIT Guwahati identity card”, offered to vote for her in the Dispur constituency. Mira told the media she was shocked by the approach and alleged it reflected an attempt at “vote chori” (vote theft), alleging BJP might be trying to secure votes through such means.

Mira said four to five youths came in the morning and offered to help her. “He (Dilraj) told me he is a voter from UP but likes me. He said he could arrange 10 to 20 votes if I wished,” she said.

PM Modi appeals to people of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry to vote in large numbers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday appealed to the people of Assam, Kerala and Puducherry to exercise their franchise in large numbers in the assembly elections in the two states and the Union Territory.


In separate messages in English, besides Assamese, Malayalam and Tamil --” the regional languages of Assam, Kerala and Puducherry respectively -- PM Modi particularly requested the youth and the women to step forward and vote in large numbers.


"As polling begins for the Assam Assembly elections 2026, I appeal to the people of Assam to exercise their franchise in large numbers. I hope that the state's youth and women voters participate enthusiastically and make this election a celebration of democracy and public duty," he said in a post on X.


Calling upon the people of Kerala to vote in large numbers, the prime minister said the record participation in the voting will add vigour to Kerala's democratic spirit.


"I particularly request the youth and women of the state to step forward and vote in large numbers," he said.


PM Modi also urged every voter in Puducherry to come out and participate in record numbers.


"I especially appeal to our youth and to women voters to strengthen the process of democracy. Every vote matters in shaping the future of Puducherry," he said.


Polling for the 126-member assembly in Assam, 140-member assembly in Kerala and for 30 seats in Puducherry is being held on Thursday.


The Puducherry Assembly has a total of 30 elected seats. Additionally, three members are nominated by the central government.

Nearly 6,000 people evicted from Lutumari Reserved Forest, who had earlier threatened to boycott the election over delays in land allotment for rehabilitation, have now decided to vote. They fear that abstention could jeopardize their chances of securing a plot in the future and result in their names being removed from the electoral rolls. The evicted families are enrolled as voters in the Hojai assembly constituency.

In contrast, nearly 1,000 evicted voters from Paikan Reserve Forest in Assam’s Goalpara district will travel to the forest area on Thursday — not to reclaim the land they once inhabited, but to exercise their franchise. “We do not want to miss our democratic right despite displacement,” they said.

Over 1,200 Bengali-speaking Muslim families were evicted by the Nagaon district administration for allegedly occupying nearly 6,000 bighas of the forest in the district. According to the administration, the forest was notified over a century ago, yet the families had been living there for several decades.

Enrolled as voters in the Hojai assembly constituency, about 200 of the 1,200 evicted families have spent the past four months under tarpaulin sheets pitched along a village road at Chankhula, turning the roadside into a fragile shelter. Displaced from their homes, they took refuge in this area under the Kampur revenue circle in Barhampur assembly constituency after the eviction, despite not being registered voters of that seat. Chankhula, nearly 8km from the eviction site, has since become their temporary address as they struggle with uncertainty, exposure to the elements, and the daily question of when — or whether — they will ever return home.

Rashid Ali (47) said, “Initially, we all decided to boycott the election. Since the eviction, no one from any political party has asked how we have been spending our days and nights. Our demand for rehabilitation remains the same. But people here decided to vote instead of boycotting — otherwise, it might create problems in the future.”

Ali had his residence at No.-2 Majgaon, along with about 800 other families. No.-2 Majgaon was one of the villages where the eviction was carried out.

Abdul Hameed (115) said most families had settled in No.-2 Majgaon inside the forest in 1983, after being forced to flee their earlier homes in Barpeta district in lower Assam, Morigaon in central Assam, and parts of Nagaon district. They had fled the violence that marked the six-year anti-foreigner movement between 1979 and 1983.

Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 of the 1,497 people evicted from Paikan Reserved Forest in Goalpara district last year remain enrolled at the Bidyapara ME School polling booth, which falls within the forest land in the Goalpara East constituency. Their designated polling station ceased to exist after the eviction and has since been converted into a forest department office. However, election officer Pallabi Borah said the forest department has vacated the premises temporarily to allow voting.

Pranjal plans to leave at 5 am with his parents, both in their 70s, to give them enough time for the difficult walk. Villagers have arranged four mechanised boats for the Dibru river crossing and another four for the smaller rivulet, allowing people to travel in groups and return before dark. “Wildlife movement becomes more uncertain after dusk, making an early return essential. Moving together can keep some wild animals away,” he said.

Even the polling station has not escaped the region’s instability. The booth where Pranjal had voted since turning 18 was washed away in 2024 by the Brahmaputra. This year, voters will instead cast their ballots at Dodhia Kuligaon LP School.

For years, villagers have demanded relocation and rehabilitation outside the park, but no permanent solution has been implemented. Until that changes, polling stations will continue to be set up inside the national park itself, including the two booths at Dodhia Upper Primary School and in Laika village.

Traversing chars (sandbars) in middle of rivers and hilly terrain, battling patchy internet networks with long treks, boats, Election Commission has taken on Assam’s logistical challenges to ensure that no voter is left behind as the state votes on Thursday.

Elephants, once commonly pressed into service, are no longer needed thanks to improved communication and infrastructure.

An official explained the scale of the challenge in Assam’s remote interiors, saying, “We have already dispatched, two days in advance, polling officials, security personnel, EVMs and election materials to 228 polling stations located in remote areas where the men have to trek for more than eight hours to reach their destinations.” The rest of the polling personnel were all dispatched on Wednesday.

In Dhubri district’s Birising Jarua constituency, officials say reaching more than 300 polling stations will require multi mode transport, combining vehicles and boats.

“These areas are char lands situated in the middle of the river. So boats are the only option,” an official explained.

In Majuli river island, tractors remain the primary mode of transport for men and materials, a practice also common in constituencies like Chenga, Jaleswar and Barpeta.

In the remote hills of Dima Hasao, polling and security personnel trek for hours before reaching their destinations.

‘Change is palpable in Assam’: Mallikarjun Kharge urges voters to reject ‘politics of division’

Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said that “the change is palpable in Assam” as the state votes in the 2026 Assembly elections, urging people to reject what he described as “politics of division, exclusion, and apathy”.

In a post on X, the Congress president said: “The change is palpable in Assam in this 2026 Assembly election. In the past 10 years, Assam’s unity has been deliberately weakened - its social fabric strained, its resources exploited, and false narratives spread for political gain.

Now is the time for the people of Assam to come together and defeat politics of division, exclusion, and apathy with the power of their vote.

Choose a path of unity, welfare, and real development. Your vote can restore Assam’s pride and future.

I especially urge first-time voters to step out and vote for harmony and progress.”

Kharge’s remarks come as polling is underway across all 126 constituencies in Assam, with over 2.5 crore voters eligible to cast their ballots. The Congress is seeking to regain power in the state after a decade, positioning the election as a decisive moment for Assam’s political direction.

Assam Elections 2026 Live: BJP’s Pradyut Bordoloi casts vote

BJP candidate from Dispur assembly constituency, Pradyut Bordoloi, cast his vote in the Assam Assembly Elections 2026 and said, "I have just cast my vote. I couldn't transfer my voting rights when I decided to file my nomination as a BJP candidate from Dispur. Since it did not get transferred, I have just cast my vote here now. I am heading back to Dispur..."

Guwahati: An unusual movement of voters by buses and trains from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, and a few other states to districts in lower Assam came to light in the last 24 hours ahead of the polling day. Lower Assam is known to be vulnerable to the influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh. However, allegations have also surfaced regarding Hindi-speaking voters attempting to vote illegally in the Assam election.

In Barpeta district, many Muslim voters arriving by rail since Tuesday said they work outside the state and had returned to vote in constituencies like Jania, Mandia, and other seats in lower Assam where Muslim voters play a decisive role. A large crowd gathered at Barpeta Road railway station, which connects to several Muslim-majority seats.

“People usually come in such large numbers during elections. We are keeping a vigil, and if any complaint arises, we will take action,” said Barpeta SP Pushkin Jain.

Sources said many Muslim families fear their citizenship may be questioned if they do not vote. “I have come from UP to vote in Mandia. I arrive just ahead of elections because I belong to this land,” said a youth.

Congress candidate from Dispur, Mira Borthakur Goswami, on Wednesday, caught a voter from UP, Dilraj Singh, who allegedly approached her asking if she needed his vote. Borthakur claimed the boy, who possessed an “IIT Guwahati identity card”, offered to vote for her in the Dispur constituency. Mira told the media she was shocked by the approach and alleged it reflected an attempt at “vote chori” (vote theft), alleging BJP might be trying to secure votes through such means.

Mira said four to five youths came in the morning and offered to help her. “He (Dilraj) told me he is a voter from UP but likes me. He said he could arrange 10 to 20 votes if I wished,” she said.

Mira claimed the boy told her there was a system to vote even without being listed in the Assam voter roll. “I thought since I have an IIT Guwahati identity card, I could vote in Assam,” he reportedly said. He added that he had been residing in the Brahmaputra hostel at IIT Guwahati for the past year. A response from IIT Guwahati is awaited.

He also claimed to have been associated with NSUI in BHU before joining IIT Guwahati. Mira said legal action would be taken against him. His identity is yet to be verified. Mira alleged he is affiliated with “Yuva Morcha”.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee media department chairperson Bedabrat Bora said the Congress suspects a large number of voters have arrived in Assam, similar to alleged vote theft incidents in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh during recent elections.

“From other states, many Hindi-speaking people have arrived in Assam by various vehicles to vote. Just as we alleged vote chori in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, where outsiders voted before genuine voters could, will the same happen in Assam?” Bora asked.

He questioned whether election authorities had deployed personnel to prevent such attempts. “Has any action been taken against those who arrived to vote? Have the police and administration been alerted? Has the EC deployed volunteers to prevent vote chori?” Bora asked.

He said even without voter ID cards, such people might try to vote. “They may use fake voter IDs or other identity cards. Election authorities must take this issue seriously,” Bora said, adding that voter ID verification should be mandatory.

Assam Elections 2026 Live: Close contests likely as margins narrow in key seats

Assam assembly elections 2026: Several constituencies are expected to witness closely fought contests, with narrow margins likely to decide outcomes. Seats like Algapur-Katlicherra and Karimganj South have the highest number of candidates, while others are seeing straight fights with just two contenders. Regional parties such as AIUDF, Raijor Dal and AJP could play spoiler roles in tightly contested seats. With multiple factors at play, including local issues and candidate profiles, the final outcome may depend on small shifts in vote share across key constituencies.

Assam Elections 2026 Live: Voters form long queues to cast their vote at a polling station in Jalukbari assembly constituency

Voters were seen standing in long queues at a polling station in Jalukbari assembly constituency as voting got underway at 7 am. The strong turnout reflects enthusiasm among citizens participating in the electoral process, with people from different age groups arriving to cast their ballots. Authorities have put arrangements in place to manage crowds and ensure smooth polling.

Assam Elections 2026 Live: A senior citizen being helped to arrive at a polling station in Dispur as he reaches here to exercise his franchise

Assam Elections 2026 Live: 126 seats up for grabs, over 2.5 crore voters in fray as polling begins

​​Polling for the 126-member Assam Assembly began at 7 am on Thursday amid tight security and elaborate arrangements across the state. Over 2.5 crore eligible voters are set to decide the fate of hundreds of candidates contesting across constituencies that span urban centres, tea garden regions, and remote riverine areas.

Election officials said voting is being conducted across thousands of polling stations, with special provisions in place for elderly voters, persons with disabilities, and first-time voters. Security has been intensified in sensitive constituencies, with central forces deployed to ensure smooth and peaceful polling.

Assam Elections 2026 Live: Mock polling underway at a polling station in Kamrup

Assam Elections 2026 Live: Security tightened across Assam, webcasting enabled at all booths

Assam assembly elections 2026: Extensive security arrangements have been put in place to ensure peaceful polling across the state. Central Armed Police Forces, including CRPF personnel, have been deployed in sensitive areas. Authorities have enabled webcasting facilities at all polling stations for real-time monitoring. Election officials said that special focus is being given to vulnerable booths and areas with a history of electoral tensions. The measures aim to ensure free, fair and transparent polling throughout the day.

Assam Elections 2026 Live: Key leaders in fray

Assam assembly elections 2026: Several high-profile contests are being closely watched. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is seeking a sixth consecutive win from Jalukbari, while Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi is making his assembly debut from Jorhat. AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal is contesting from Binnakandi, while Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi is in a triangular fight in Sibsagar. Other key battles include Nazira, Bokakhat and Khowang, where senior leaders from multiple parties are locked in closely watched contests.
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Assam Elections 2026 Live: 722 candidates in fray in Assam

Assam assembly elections 2026: A total of 722 candidates are contesting the Assam elections, including key political figures and a large number of Independents. The Congress has fielded the highest number of candidates at 99, followed by the BJP with 90. Among other players, AIUDF has 30 candidates, while NDA allies AGP and BPF are contesting 26 and 11 seats respectively. The presence of multiple parties, including AAP, TMC, UPPL and others, ensures that several constituencies will witness triangular or multi-cornered contests.
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Assam Elections 2026 Live: Over 2.5 crore voters in Assam to exercise their right

Assam assembly elections 2026: Around 2.5 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots across Assam, including over 1.25 crore women and 318 third gender voters. Polling is being held from 7 am to 5 pm across 31,490 polling stations spread over 35 districts. The electorate includes 6.42 lakh first-time voters, over 2.5 lakh senior citizens aged above 80, and more than 2 lakh persons with disabilities. Special arrangements have been made to ensure accessibility, reflecting the scale and inclusiveness of the electoral exercise.
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Assam Elections 2026 Live: Assam votes today in high-stakes BJP vs Congress battle

Assam assembly elections 2026: Polling will be held across Assam’s 126 assembly constituencies in a high-stakes contest that pits the BJP-led NDA against a Congress-led opposition alliance. The BJP is seeking a third consecutive term in power, while the Congress is aiming to reclaim the state it lost in 2016. With most constituencies witnessing direct contests, the election is expected to hinge on narrow margins. Regional parties, however, could play a crucial role in select seats, adding layers to what is otherwise a largely bipolar battle.
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