As voting for the assembly elections concluded, India’s Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday greeted voters in Assam, Puducherry and Kerala and described the elections as a “testimony” to the “entire democratic world”.
He said, “The 2026 assembly elections in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry are a historic achievement not only for India but for the entire democratic world. On behalf of the Election Commission, I congratulate every voter of Assam, Puducherry and Kerala for this historic achievement. Festival of elections, pride of the voter.”
Voting for the general elections to the Assemblies of Assam, Kerala and Puducherry began at 7.00 am on Thursday and was overall peaceful.
Today, Assam and Puducherry recorded the highest level of voting at 85.38 per cent and 89.83 per cent respectively. According to a press release from the Election Commission (ECI), the previous highest level of voting in Assam and Puducherry was 84.67 per cent (2016 Gela) and 86.19 per cent (2011 Gela) respectively.
The total turnout in Assam was 85.38 percent, with participation of women (85.96 percent) slightly higher than that of men (84.80 percent), while third gender voting stood at 36.84 percent.
Total voting in Kerala was 78.03 per cent, with participation of women (80.86 per cent) being higher than that of men (75.01 per cent) and third gender participation at 57.04 per cent.
Puducherry had the highest overall participation at 89.83 per cent, with the third gender category achieving the highest rate among this group at 91.81 per cent.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr SS Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi kept a close watch on the voting through live webcasting, which was ensured for the first time in 100 per cent of polling stations in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry.
Voting took place today for over 5.31 crore voters in a total of 296 assembly constituencies (ACs) in the states of Assam and Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
After voting ended, the Chief Ministers of Kerala and Assam lauded the huge turnout in their respective states.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the voters who exercised their franchise and contributed to the democratic process.
He said, “This time there was very little time for campaigning. Nevertheless, the enthusiasm of the political workers who worked tirelessly despite the scorching heat is commendable. The people who reached the polling stations despite the bad weather reflected the high democratic spirit of Kerala and unwavering commitment towards the country. The turnout in such large numbers is highly commendable.”
The Chief Minister also appreciated the role of election officials, police and central force members, health workers, volunteers and others in ensuring the smooth conduct of elections across the State.
Assam Chief Minister Sarma described the election as a “movement” to protect Assam’s culture, values and land and said, “Our aim was not just to contest the election, but to turn it into a movement.”
The post said, “Today for the first time, our people have turned out to vote in unprecedented numbers – shoulder to shoulder, matching and even surpassing their opponents in turnout. Participation at many polling stations is over 95 per cent. This is not ordinary. This is historic. Assam has risen above language and caste. Our people have voted with a clear resolve to protect their land, their identity and their culture from illegal infiltration and demographic onslaught.”
The Chief Minister described the election as “a turning point in the history of Assam” and emphasized that the outcome of this election is “already visible in the hope, pride and happiness on the faces of our people.”
“The message is clear: Assam will not surrender. Assam will fight. Assam will survive. Assam will stand firm,” he said.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan were also among the early voters. Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangaswami also cast his vote, maintaining his old tradition of going to the polling booth on a motorcycle.