Guwahati – Despite overcast skies and intermittent rain across several districts, the Assam Assembly election witnessed a steady stream of voters on Thursday, with a turnout of 59.63% recorded by 1 p.m. The state is currently in the middle of a high-stakes battle, with the ruling BJP-led NDA aiming for a third consecutive term and the Congress party hoping to stage a comeback after a decade out of power.
Polling began at 7 a.m. across all 126 constituencies, and within the first six hours, nearly 60% of Assam’s 2.5 crore electorate had already cast their ballots. This marks the first Assam Assembly election since the delimitation exercise of 2023, which significantly redrew the state’s electoral map.
According to election officials, Dudhnoi in Goalpara district recorded the highest voter turnout until 1 p.m., touching 66.11%. In contrast, the lowest turnout during this period was reported from Dibrugarh, where only 50.85% of voters had come out to exercise their franchise.
Top Leaders Cast Their Votes
Among the early voters was Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is seeking re-election from the Jalukbari constituency. He arrived at the Garal Buniyadi LP School in Kamrup (Metro) district along with his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, his son Nandil, and daughter Sukanya.
On the other side of the political aisle, state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi cast his vote at the DCB LP School in Jorhat. He was accompanied by his mother, Dolly Gogoi. The presence of the Gogoi family added emotional weight to the day, given the Congress’s long historical connect with the state.
Other Key Candidates Who Voted
Several other prominent faces in the Assam Assembly election were seen at polling booths across the state. Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia cast his vote in Nazira, while Union Minister Pabitra Margherita exercised his franchise in Jorhat.
Meanwhile, Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi voted in Khowang, and Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi cast his ballot in Sivasagar. The presence of these regional leaders underscores the multi-cornered nature of the contest, though the primary battle remains between the BJP-led NDA and the Congress.
What’s at Stake
This year’s Assam Assembly election is being closely watched not just within the state but across the country. A victory for the BJP would mark its third straight term in power—a feat the party has achieved in only a handful of states. For the Congress, reclaiming Assam after losing it in 2016 would provide a much-needed boost to its national morale.
Voting continues until 6 p.m., and final turnout figures are expected late tonight. Counting of votes will take place in the coming days, with all eyes on which way Assam’s politically crucial electorate has swung.
