Assembly Elections 2026 LIVE: Puducherry, Kerala & Assam Assembly Elections Underway with Over 2.5 Crore Voters Casting Ballots Amid Tight Security

Assembly Elections 2026 LIVE: Millions of voters in Kerala, Assam and Puducherry began casting their ballots early on Thursday morning as a high‑stakes round of assembly elections got underway across the three regions. Polling began at 7 am and is scheduled to continue until 6 pm, with tight security deployed to ensure smooth voting amid intense contests between rival political fronts.

By 9 am, early turnout figures showed a strong start, with Kerala recording 16.23%, Assam logging 17.87%, and Puducherry marking 17.41% voter participation.

Assembly Elections 2026: Key Contests Across India

The 2026 assembly elections are shaping up to be a high-stakes political event across multiple states and Union Territories. Voters in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry are casting their ballots to decide the composition of their respective legislative assemblies. Alongside these main contests, bypolls and assembly elections in other states are also underway, making the day critical for political parties and electors alike.

Kerala Assembly Election

In Kerala, where 2.7 crore electors are eligible to vote across 140 assembly seats, a fierce three‑way battle is on between the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), the Congress‑led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP‑led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Security forces and election officials have stepped up surveillance in sensitive areas to maintain law and order. Voters queued up at polling stations across the state, with many expressing determination to exercise their democratic right early in the day.

Assam Assembly Election

In Assam, more than 2.5 crore voters are exercising their franchise in elections for 126 assembly seats. The BJP‑led NDA is seeking to secure a third term in office, while the Congress‑led alliance, supported by local partners, aims to challenge the incumbents across the state.

Officials said deployment of security personnel was higher in border and insurgency‑affected districts to ensure peaceful polling.

Puducherry Assembly Election

Puducherry’s 30‑member Legislative Assembly elections also began on Thursday, with over 10 lakh electors entitled to vote at more than a thousand polling stations across the Union Territory.

Local observers noted a brisk turnout in urban and rural booths alike. Tight monitoring and keen interest among voters have marked the early hours of polling.

Assembly Elections 2026 LIVE: Bypolls Also in Focus Across Three States

Alongside the main elections, by‑elections are being held in constituencies in Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura due to recent vacancies. The outcomes of these smaller contests are expected to add further political interest to the day’s events.

The counting of votes for all three assembly polls is scheduled for May 4, when the final composition of the state and UT governments will be revealed.

Karnataka Assembly Election: By-Elections in Bagalkot and Davanagere South

Karnataka is holding by-elections for the Bagalkot and Davanagere South assembly constituencies, following the unfortunate deaths of senior Congress MLAs H Y Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa. Voters in these segments are heading to the polls to fill these vacant seats, and the contests are expected to attract attention from all major political parties in the state. Security and election management have been heightened to ensure smooth polling.

Tripura Assembly Election: Dharmanagar By-Election

In North Tripura, the Dharmanagar assembly constituency is witnessing a by-election due to the death of BJP leader and assembly speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen in December 2025. Voters are expected to participate actively in this by-election, which is being closely watched as a test of local political sentiment and party strength ahead of larger state-wide political developments.

Nagaland Assembly Election: Koridang By-Election in Mokokchung District

Nagaland is holding a by-election in the Koridang assembly constituency in Mokokchung district, following the death of BJP MLA Imkong L. Imchen in November 2025. The election here is crucial for local governance and party representation, with voters casting their ballots under tight security and careful monitoring to maintain the integrity of the election process.