Thiruvananthapuram/Guwahati/Puducherry, April 9. Polling in Thursday's Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry saw a high turnout under largely peaceful conditions, with heavy deployment of security forces, as only isolated incidents of law and order were reported.
The Union Territory of Puducherry recorded the highest turnout at 89.08 per cent, followed by Assam at 85.04 per cent, and Kerala at 77.38 per cent, according to updates available around 7 p.m., although the final figures are yet to be updated by the Election Commission. By-elections were also held in Karnataka's Bagalkot and Davanagere South, Nagaland's Koridang, and Tripura's Dharmanagar.
The numbers have already surpassed the electoral turnout of 2021, when Puducherry recorded 83.42 per cent, Assam 82.42 per cent, and Kerala around 76 per cent. Incidentally, the turnout dropped marginally in 2021 compared to 2016.
On Thursday, turnout steadily increased throughout the day after moderate morning participation. Long queues were seen in many booths across the states, even as people with disabilities exercised their voting rights.
Among other places, a newly married couple voted at the HMT School polling station in Kalamasseri, Ernakulam, in Kerala.
Meanwhile, a viral video showed a robot welcoming voters at the VOC Government School Higher Secondary School in Puducherry's Raj Bhavan constituency. The white robot was seen moving along a corridor, carrying a tray of petals, greeting people, and encouraging them to vote.
Thursday's election covered 140 seats in Kerala, 126 in Assam, and 30 in Puducherry. Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23, and West Bengal on April 23 and 29. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
Election authorities and state governments mounted large security deployments—paramilitary units and local police reinforcements—and model polling booths to ensure orderly voting in urban and remote areas.
The emphasis was on preventing booth capture, intimidation, and illegal campaigning near polling stations. Only a few isolated incidents were reported during the day.
Most reports highlighted the routine seizure of illicit materials, complaints of EVM malfunctions or queue disruptions, followed by rapid police responses. No major law and order incidents were reported by evening.
Election officials emphasized strict enforcement of the model code of conduct and quick redressal mechanisms, as special teams monitored sensitive constituencies in Assam and urban pockets in Kerala.
Assam saw high rural and tribal turnout, with long queues at many booths and visible enthusiasm among first-time voters.
The polls came after the mandatory silent period, during which the campaign was dominated by flags and banners, rallies of political parties, and local issues such as migration, land rights, and development shaping voter conversations.
Polling in Kerala combined disciplined turnout, with the day remaining largely peaceful and orderly, while Puducherry recorded the highest reported turnout, with strong voter mobilization in both urban and rural areas.
Polling continued from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., although those electors who had joined the queues before closing time were allowed to cast their vote.
High-stakes narratives, such as regional identity in Assam, development vs anti-incumbency in Kerala, and local issues in Puducherry, targeted voter outreach and strong ground organization by parties, contributing to elevated participation. Weather and weekend scheduling also aided turnout in many districts.
While the National Democratic Alliance governments in both Assam and Puducherry are seeking another term, the contest in Kerala is between two blocs, where the incumbent Left Democratic Front, led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist, is again facing a challenge from the Congress-led United Democratic Front alliance.