India (Commonwealth Union)_ Voting for the 2026 Assembly elections began on Thursday, April 9, across Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, marking the start of a crucial phase in India’s democratic process. Often described as the country’s “festival of democracy,” elections draw millions of citizens to polling booths, and this year is no different. From early morning, voters lined up in large numbers, reflecting both enthusiasm and the high stakes involved. Polling is being held for 140 seats in Kerala, 126 in Assam, and 30 in Puducherry. The remaining states will vote later this month. Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23 in a single phase covering all 234 seats. West Bengal, which has a 294-member assembly, will vote in two phases: 152 seats on April 23 and the remaining 142 on April 29. The results for all Assembly elections will be declared on May 4.
Alongside these elections, the Election Commission has also announced by-elections for eight constituencies across Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tripura. While Gujarat and Maharashtra will vote on April 23, the remaining states are voting today. The counting of votes for both Assembly elections and by-elections will take place on the same day, May 4. For the ongoing assembly elections, polling started at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, with officials anticipating a high turnout throughout the day. The elections are being keenly monitored since they are viewed as a critical test for political parties, coalitions, and prominent leaders in these areas.
Kerala state elections
In Kerala, more than 2.71 crore voters are entitled to vote on the destiny of 883 candidates running in 140 seats. The main struggle is between three major alliances: the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front; the Congress-led United Democratic Front; and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. Senior leaders, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, were among the early voters. Polling stations across Kerala saw steady crowds from the morning, as many people chose to vote early to avoid the rising heat later in the day. In total, 30,495 polling booths have been set up, with over 76,000 security personnel deployed to ensure smooth and peaceful voting. The Election Commission has also implemented webcasting at many locations to monitor the process in real time. The voter base includes a diverse mix: over 1.32 crore men; 1.39 crore women; and 273 transgender voters, along with more than 2.42 lakh overseas voters.
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Assam state elections
In Assam, around 2.5 crore voters are participating in the elections across 126 constituencies, where 722 candidates are in the race. The BJP-dominated NDA hopes to return to power for a third straight term, but the opposition coalition led by the Congress, together with regional parties such as Raijor Dal and CPI(M), is waging a strong fight. There are 31,490 voting booths around the state, and early reports show large queues at numerous areas, indicating strong voter enthusiasm. Women voters account for almost half of the electorate, while voters of the third gender participate in the process. Among political parties, the Congress has fielded the highest number of candidates, followed by the BJP and other regional allies.
Puducherry elections
In Puducherry, more than 10 lakh voters are eligible to vote for the 30-member Legislative Assembly. Women voters slightly outnumber men in the Union Territory. The main contest is between the NDA, led by the All India NR Congress, and the INDIA bloc, which includes the Congress, DMK, and VCK. Additionally, the entry of actor-politician Vijay’s party has also added a new dimension to the contest, while other parties are also hoping to make their presence felt.
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Furthermore, to ensure smooth and fair polling, the Election Commission has put extensive arrangements in place. Accordingly, electronic voting machines are now in use at every polling station, and rehearsal votes went off without a hitch before the real thing. To ensure everyone could cast their ballots, special accommodations were made for senior citizens and voters with disabilities. Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged everyone to vote in large numbers. He underlined the significance of using one’s right to vote to contribute to strengthening the democratic process. As the day progresses, voter turnout numbers will be keenly followed, since they are anticipated to play a significant role in the final outcome. With considerable participation already visible in many localities, the elections are shaping up to be fiercely contested and widely watched throughout the three regions.
