Polling has begun in the high-stakes Assam Kerala Puducherry Elections 2026, with voters lining up outside booths from early morning as India witnesses one of its biggest electoral exercises this year.
Voting started at 7 AM across 126 seats in Assam, 140 in Kerala, and 30 in Puducherry, setting the stage for a निर्णायक political battle across three crucial regions.
Over 5 Crore Voters to Decide Political Future
Across the three regions, more than 5 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes, making it a massive democratic exercise.
Authorities have deployed security forces, monitoring teams, and advanced webcasting systems to maintain transparency and law and order during polling.
Counting of votes will take place on May 4, when the fate of hundreds of candidates will be decided.
Kerala Elections 2026: 2.6 Crore Voters, 883 Candidates
In Kerala, over 2.69 crore voters will decide the fate of 883 candidates across 140 constituencies.
The electorate includes:
- 1.38 crore women voters
- 1.31 crore male voters
- 277 third gender voters
There are also over 4.24 lakh first-time voters and more than 2 lakh senior citizens above 85 years.
To ensure smooth polling, authorities have set up 30,471 polling stations and deployed around 1.46 lakh polling personnel.
The contest is mainly between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led UDF, while the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA is also looking to expand its presence.
Assam Elections 2026: BJP Eyes Third Term
In Assam, over 2.5 crore voters are eligible to vote for 126 Assembly seats, with 722 candidates in the fray.
The voter base includes:
- 6.42 lakh first-time voters
- 2.5 lakh voters above 80 years
- Over 2 lakh persons with disabilities
The Election Commission of India has enabled webcasting in all 31,490 polling stations and deployed over 1.51 lakh polling personnel.
On the political front, the Indian National Congress has formed a six-party alliance to challenge the BJP-led NDA, which is aiming for a third consecutive term.
Puducherry Elections 2026: Triangular Contest Emerging
In Puducherry, over 10 lakh voters are eligible to vote across 30 constituencies.
Authorities have deployed 110 sector officers and security forces across 1,099 polling stations, with 209 booths identified as vulnerable.
The political battle includes:
- NDA (NR Congress + BJP)
- Congress-DMK alliance
- Entry of Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), making the contest more competitive
Why These Elections Are Crucial
These elections are seen as a major political test for national and regional parties. The results will influence not only state politics but also future national strategies ahead of upcoming elections.
When will the results of Assam, Kerala and Puducherry elections be announced?
The counting of votes will take place on May 4, 2026.
How many total seats are involved in these elections?
A total of 296 seats are being contested — 126 in Assam, 140 in Kerala, and 30 in Puducherry.
How many voters are participating in these elections?
Over 5 crore voters across Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry are eligible to vote.
Which parties are the main contenders?
The main players include BJP-led NDA, Congress-led alliances, and regional parties like LDF and DMK.
Is voter turnout expected to be high?
Yes, early visuals of long queues indicate strong voter participation.
Why is this election important nationally?
It serves as a major political indicator for parties ahead of future national elections.
