Polling for the Assembly Elections 2026 began on Friday across Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, with over 5.3 crore voters expected to cast their ballots in a single phase.
Voting started at 7 AM across thousands of polling stations amid stringent security arrangements, webcasting, and extensive logistical preparations to ensure a smooth and transparent process.
In Assam, the contest is largely bipolar, with the BJP-led NDA aiming for a third consecutive term under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The Congress-led opposition, spearheaded by Gaurav Gogoi, is striving to return to power after a decade.
Regional parties such as the All India United Democratic Front, Raijor Dal and Assam Jatiya Parishad may sway key seats, as around 2.5 crore voters cast ballots across 31,000 polling booths.
In Kerala, 140 constituencies witness a tight contest. The Left Democratic Front, led by Pinarayi Vijayan, seeks a third term, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front eyes a comeback. The BJP-led NDA is also pushing to expand its footprint among 2.71 crore voters.
In Puducherry, a multi-cornered fight is underway between the NDA, the Congress-DMK alliance, and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam led by Vijay.
Around 9.5 lakh voters are casting their votes across Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam, choosing from nearly 300 candidates at over 1,000 polling stations.
Authorities have, however, deployed enhanced security, implemented drone surveillance, and made special arrangements for elderly and differently-abled voters to ensure a seamless voting experience.
Officials will declare the results for all three regions on May 4, along with the outcomes from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, marking a crucial moment in India's electoral landscape.
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