Guwahati, April 9 – A record 85.64% of the 2.50 crore electorate cast their votes in the Assam assembly elections on Thursday, with the ruling BJP stating that the high turnout was "historic," while the opposition Congress claimed it indicated "a desire for change."
Voting in the single-phase elections for 126 constituencies began at 7 am and concluded at 5 pm.
The 85.64% turnout, expected to increase further, is the highest since 2016, when 84.72% of the electorate voted, leading to the BJP's victory, and 82.04% in the 2021 elections, held during the Covid pandemic.
Both the BJP and the opposition Congress claimed that the high turnout benefits them, and thanked voters for their participation.
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is seeking a third consecutive term, while the Congress is aiming to regain control of the state after losing it a decade ago.
A total of 722 candidates are contesting the elections, with the BJP-led ruling coalition and the opposition bloc led by the Congress engaging in a direct contest.
Dalgaon recorded the highest voter turnout at 95.83%, while New Guwahati had the lowest at 72.10%.
Voting took place amid heavy rain, although the skies cleared later in the day, across 31,490 polling stations in 35 districts, according to officials.
Sporadic incidents of violence related to the elections were reported in some parts of the state, with 30 people injured and seven arrested, officials said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the high voter turnout as "not ordinary but historic" on Thursday.
Sarma said the election results "already reflect the hope, pride, and happiness of our people."
"What we set out to do was not merely to hold an election, but to transform it into a movement – a movement to protect our civilizational values, our culture, and our land," he said in a statement on X.
"For the first time, our people have come out in unprecedented numbers, voting together, matching, and even surpassing our opponents in turnout. Participation has exceeded 95% in many polling booths. This is not ordinary; it is historic," Sarma asserted.
Sarma said Assam has transcended linguistic and caste divisions, and "our people have voted with a single resolve – to protect our land, our identity, and our culture from illegal infiltration and demographic aggression."
"This is not just an election; it is a turning point in Assam's history," he said.
Sarma added that the message is clear: "Assam will not surrender; Assam will fight; Assam will survive; Assam will endure."
Assam Pradesh Congress President Gaurav Gogoi thanked the people for their unprecedented participation in the election.
Gogoi said the people of Assam voted with the hope of a "New Bor-Asom" (New and Greater Assam) and new leadership.
"The Election Commission now has the responsibility to ensure the security of the EVMs and conduct an accurate vote count on May 4," he said.
Voting percentages in most constituencies, primarily in minority-dominated areas, have already exceeded 90%, with 92 falling in the 80-89% range and the remaining in the 70-79% category, officials said.
Incidents of violence were reported in the Patharkandi constituency, where Congress candidate Kartik Sena Sinha allegedly entered the Rangamati polling booth and started an argument with the presiding officer. Following this, supporters of the Congress and the BJP engaged in a fight, police said.
In the clash, around 25 people were injured, with two in serious condition, and in another incident, three leaders of the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) were injured in a skirmish with BJP supporters at Khowang constituency in Dibrugarh district, officials said.
Besides, minor clashes were also reported at polling booths across several districts after the morning began, with people suffering minor injuries.
Most of the clashes occurred due to heavy crowds, with people trying to break the queue, while at some polling booths, supporters of the ruling and opposition parties exchanged blows, but the police present at the spot brought the situation under control, officials said.
Key candidates include Sarma, Gogoi, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, and Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi.
The Congress fielded the highest number of candidates at 99, followed by the BJP with 90. The AIUDF has 30 candidates, while NDA constituents Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People's Front (BPF) are contesting 26 and 11 seats, respectively.
In the opposition bloc, the Raijor Dal is contesting 13 seats, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) 10, CPI(M) three, and the APHLC two. Other parties in the fray include AAP (18), UPPL (18), TMC (22), JMM (16), besides 258 Independents.
Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel expressed gratitude to all for their active participation and cooperation, "which contributed significantly to the successful conduct of polling."
The presence of a large number of people at polling booths even after 5 pm reflects the public awareness and enthusiasm towards voting, he said.