Guwahati: Polling for all 126 Assembly constituencies in Assam concluded at 5 pm on Thursday, recording an estimated voter turnout of 85.21 per cent, significantly higher than the 82.04 per cent registered in the 2021 elections, officials said.
The final turnout is expected to rise further as voters who had entered polling stations before the closing time will still be allowed to cast their votes.
Election officials described the high participation as a strong indicator of public engagement in what is being seen as a closely contested election.
According to official data, 16 constituencies—mostly in minority-dominated areas—have already recorded over 90 per cent turnout. As many as 83 constituencies reported polling in the 80–89 per cent range, while the remaining seats saw turnout between 70 and 79 per cent.
Dalgaon constituency recorded the highest turnout at 95.53 per cent, while New Guwahati registered the lowest at 72.05 per cent.
A total of 722 candidates are in the fray in this election, which is largely witnessing a direct contest between the BJP-led ruling alliance and the opposition bloc led by the Congress.
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is aiming for a third consecutive term in power, while the Congress is seeking to regain control of the state after a decade.
Altogether, around 2.50 crore voters were eligible to cast their votes, including approximately 1.25 crore women and 318 voters from the third gender. Polling was conducted across 31,490 polling stations spread over 35 districts.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma termed the turnout “not ordinary but historic,” stating that the outcome of the election was “already visible—in the hope, pride, and happiness on the faces of our people.”
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi also welcomed the high turnout, thanking voters for participating in large numbers and expressing confidence that people had voted for “change” and a “New Bor-Asom.”
Voting began at 7 am and remained largely peaceful, with security arrangements in place across the state.
Among the prominent candidates in the fray are Sarma, Gogoi, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, and Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi.
The Congress has fielded the highest number of candidates at 99, followed by the BJP with 90.
The AIUDF has put up 30 candidates, while NDA partners Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) are contesting 26 and 11 seats respectively. Other parties, including AAP, TMC, JMM and several regional outfits, along with 258 Independents, are also in the fray.
Also Read: Manipur: CM Khemchand chairs security meeting amid ongoing unrest