Desk Correspondent , New Delhi - Voting concluded peacefully on April 9, 2026, for the Assembly elections in Kerala (140 seats), Assam (126 seats), and Puducherry (30 seats), with record turnouts reflecting intense public engagement. Assam led with 85.70%, followed by Puducherry at 89.08% and Kerala at 77.38%, surpassing previous benchmarks amid tight security and minor incidents.

Kerala's single phase poll saw over 75% turnout in key constituencies like Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram, driven by battles between the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) seeking a third term under Pinarayi Vijayan and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). BJP's NDA aimed to build on rising vote shares amid debates on welfare, Sabarimala, and voter list revisions, with women voters playing a decisive role.

In Assam, 85.70% participation highlighted NDA's (BJP-AGP-BPF) defense against Congress-AIUDF alliances across 126 seats, with high stakes in districts like Nagaon, Sonitpur, and Tinsukia. Issues like development, citizenship, and anti incumbency fueled the contest, marking one of the highest turnouts in recent polls.

Puducherry's 89.08% turnout came despite only 14% women among 294 candidates, even as women voters outnumbered men by 57,000, 41% were crorepatis, with the richest holding over Rs 609 crore assets. NDA (AINRC-BJP) faced SPA alliances in the 30-seat battle.

High participation signals high stakes for BJP/NDA vs Congress/LDF alliances, with results due on May 4. CEC Sushil Chandra called the polls historic, noting robust voter turnout despite heat and logistics challenges.