The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday said polling for Assembly elections held on April 9 in Assam, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry remained, "by and large, peaceful", with Puducherry registering its highest-ever voter participation of 89.83%.
Record turnout in Puducherry
According to the ECI statement, the 2026 turnout in Puducherry surpassed the previous high of 86.19% set in the 2011 Assembly elections. The Commission described polling at the Territory's stations as peaceful apart from a few unspecified incidents.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accompanied by Election Commissioners Dr S.S. Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi, monitored voting through live webcasting, which the Commission said had been implemented at 100% of polling stations in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry for the first time.
How the day unfolded
The ECI said polling began simultaneously at all 63,084 polling stations covered in these elections and that mock polls were completed before 7 AM in the presence of more than 1.8 lakh polling agents appointed by 1,899 contesting candidates. As part of the International Election Visitors’ Programme, 38 delegates from 22 countries observed the proceedings, the Commission added.
- Puducherry turnout: 89.83% (highest on record)
- Assam turnout: 85.38% (highest on record; previous high 84.67% in 2016)
- Kerala turnout: 78.03%
Voter-friendly measures and logistics
The Commission highlighted several new or emphasised measures intended to improve voter experience and transparency. These included easily identifiable colour photographs of candidates on EVM ballot papers, a Mobile Deposit Facility, newly designed Voter Information Slips for improved readability and a limit of up to 1,200 electors per polling station.
In its release, the ECI also said that directions had been issued to ensure Assured Minimum Facilities such as drinking water, toilets and signage at every polling station. The Commission noted deployment of election officials across the states and Union Territory and underlined its effort to monitor polling in real time through webcasting.
By-polls and other constituencies
Alongside the Assembly contests, by-elections in four Assembly constituencies across three states recorded varying turnouts: Bagalkot in Karnataka at 68.70%, Davanagere South at 68.55%, Koridang in Nagaland at 82.21% and Dharmanagar in Tripura at over 80%, the Commission said.
| Region | Voter turnout |
|---|---|
| Puducherry | 89.83% |
| Assam | 85.38% |
| Kerala | 78.03% |
What the ECI said about oversight
The Commission emphasised its monitoring mechanisms, reporting that webcasting was ensured at all polling stations in the three jurisdictions and that mock polls had been held early in the morning to verify equipment and procedures. The presence of international observers was cited as part of the transparency measures for this election cycle.
With the Model Code of Conduct already in force following the announcement of poll schedules earlier, the ECI's assessment focuses on the conduct of polling day itself rather than post-poll developments such as counting or legal challenges. Counting of votes for these assemblies is scheduled on a later date as per previously issued schedules.
Local implications
For Puducherry, the nearly 90% turnout marks a significant demonstration of voter engagement in the small Union Territory, where electoral margins can be narrow and seat counts are limited. High participation may influence post-poll analysis of party performance and voter mood in the Territory.
The ECI statement did not detail the nature of the "few incidents" it referred to, nor did it identify any polling stations in Puducherry where problems occurred. The Commission said it had completed the day-with monitoring and logistical measures meant to ensure orderly polling.
Election matters now move to the next phases—result counting and verification—where official outcomes will determine the political composition of the Assembly.
