Polling began at 7 am for the 126-member assembly, and 75.91 per cent of the state's 2.5 crore voters had cast their ballots by 3 pm, defying overcast skies and rain in several parts. Voting will continue till 5 pm.

In the 2021 assembly elections, conducted in three phases, turnout stood at around 82 per cent.

Direct contest, wide candidate field

A total of 722 candidates are contesting in the single-phase election, which is largely witnessing a direct fight between the BJP-led ruling coalition and the Congress-led opposition bloc.

The Congress has fielded 99 candidates, followed by the BJP with 90. The AIUDF has 30 candidates, while NDA allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People's Front (BPF) are contesting 26 and 11 seats respectively.

In the opposition bloc, Raijor Dal is contesting 13 seats, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) 10, CPI(M) 3 and APHLC 2. Other parties include AAP (18), UPPL (18), TMC (22), JMM (16), alongside 258 Independents.

Algapur-Katlicherra and Karimganj South have the highest number of candidates at 15 each, while nine constituencies - Rangia, Jagiroad (SC), Hojai, Naduar, Jonai (ST), Doomdooma, Mahmora, Teok and Lakhipur - have only two candidates each.

This is the first assembly election after the 2023 delimitation exercise redrew the state's electoral map.

Leaders cast votes, turnout varies across constituencies

Chief Minister Himanta, seeking re-election from Jalukbari, voted at Garal Buniyadi LP School in Kamrup (Metro) along with his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, son Nandil and daughter Sukanya.

Before voting, he and his family offered prayers at the Kamakhya Temple atop Nilachal Hills and the Doul Govinda Temple in North Guwahati.

State Congress president Gaurav Gogoi cast his vote at DCB LP School in Jorhat, accompanied by his mother Dolly Gogoi.

Other prominent candidates who have voted include Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia (Nazira), Union minister Pabitra Margherita (Jorhat), AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi (Khowang) and Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi (Sibsagar).

Among ministers, Ranoj Pegu (Dhemaji), Ajanta Neog (Golaghat), Ranjeet Kumar Das (Bhabanipur-Sorbhog), Bimal Bora (Tingkhong), Pshanta Phukan (Dibrugarh) and Jayanta Malla Baruah (Nalbari) have cast their votes.

Chamaria in Kamrup recorded the highest turnout at 84.43 per cent till 3 pm, while New Guwahati saw the lowest at 60.57 per cent, officials said.

Clashes reported, polling continues

Votes are being cast at 31,490 polling stations across 35 districts, with polling set to conclude at 5 pm.

Seven people were held in connection with election-related violence, officials said. Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh told PTI that violence occurred in Tamulpur and Sivasagar on Wednesday night, hours before polling began.

Minor clashes were reported at several polling stations in Sribhumi, Golaghat and Nagaon districts.

"Most of the clashes took place due to heavy rush, with people fighting over breaking the queue," an official said.

At some booths in Patharkandi, Merapani and Raha, supporters of ruling and opposition parties clashed, he added.

"However, police were already present in those areas, and the situations were handled instantly. The polling is going on uninterrupted," he said.