Polling has begun for crucial Assembly elections in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, with voters casting ballots from 7 am to 6 pm, testing key political parties.
Assembly Election In Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry
Polling for the high-stakes Assembly elections has officially begun in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, with voters heading to the polls from 7 am and casting ballots until 6 pm. The elections are a crucial test for the political parties in these states, with key battles expected between the ruling parties and their respective rivals.
In Kerala, over 2.71 crore voters will decide the fate of 883 candidates vying for the 140-member Legislative Assembly. The contest is shaping up to be a fierce one, with the Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), facing strong challenges from the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The outcome of this election will be pivotal for Kerala’s political landscape, with each alliance bringing their own agendas to the forefront.
Meanwhile, Assam is witnessing intense political competition, as 2.5 crore electors go to the polls to elect their representatives to the 126-member Legislative Assembly. 722 candidates are contesting in the state, with the BJP-led NDA aiming for a third consecutive term. The opposition alliance, led by the Congress, has joined forces with regional parties like Raijor Dal and the CPI(M), further intensifying the contest. The result will have significant implications for the state’s future governance.
In Puducherry, voters are casting their ballots for the 30-member Legislative Assembly, with 1,014,070 electors eligible to vote. The election in this Union Territory is critical for the political parties involved, as the outcome will shape the governance of the region.
The Election Commission has announced that polling in all three regions will run from 7 am to 6 pm, and extensive security arrangements have been put in place to ensure a smooth and safe voting process. All polling materials, including Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), have been distributed to polling personnel across the three states to facilitate the election process.
In a bid to encourage higher voter participation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to turn out in record numbers to cast their votes, emphasizing the importance of active civic participation in shaping the future of the states and the nation.
As the polling process continues, political leaders and parties remain keenly focused on securing their positions, with all eyes on the voter turnout and results that will determine the political direction of these key states.
Apr 09, 2026 15:44 IST
Approximate voter turnout as of 1 pm State Assembly Elections | Approximate voter turnout as of 1 pm –
Assam – 59.63%
Keralam – 49.70%
Puducherry – 56.83% pic.twitter.com/5jG7dSnoLN
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2026 Apr 09, 2026 15:36 IST
Home Minister of Puducherry and BJP candidate A Namassivayam casts vote #WATCH | Home Minister of Puducherry and BJP candidate from the Mannadipet Assembly constituency, A Namassivayam, casts his vote for the Puducherry Legislative Assembly elections 2026, at a polling station in Thirukkanur pic.twitter.com/ptiTmqhaGY
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2026 Apr 09, 2026 14:20 IST
‘Election in Keralam has been very peaceful and very progressive” #WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam: State Chief Electoral Officer, Rathan U Kelkar says, “The election in Keralam has been very peaceful and very progressive. At this point in time, we have crossed around 40% of our polling percentage. Looking at the trend, we are very hopeful… pic.twitter.com/bWe1U0zNSm
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2026 Apr 09, 2026 13:00 IST
A robot, Nila welcomes voters in Puducherry Elections 2026
— OTV (@otvnews) April 9, 2026 Apr 09, 2026 12:24 IST
Wife of late singer Zubeen Garg casts vote in Assam #WATCH | Garima Saikia Garg says, “I got discharged from the hospital yesterday. Earlier, I used to go to vote along with Zubeen. It is our duty to cast a vote. So, I am physically unwell, but I have come here to vote…”
She also says, “We are fighting for it (justice for… https://t.co/ImOgvvmDbv pic.twitter.com/ZGcxraKdAX
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2026 Apr 09, 2026 12:17 IST
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor casts vote in Keralam Assembly elections #WATCH | Congress MP Shashi Tharoor casts his vote in Keralam Assembly elections, in Thiruvananthapuram pic.twitter.com/a4uqQNKCDT
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2026 Apr 09, 2026 12:16 IST
Approximate voter turnout as of 11 am State Assembly Elections | Approximate voter turnout as of 11 am –
Assam – 38.92%
Keralam – 33.28%
Puducherry – 37.06% pic.twitter.com/mZl3Bi5YXv
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2026 Apr 09, 2026 12:14 IST
Assam Minister & BJP candidate Pijush Hazarika and wife cast votes #WATCH | Jagiroad, Morigaon: Assam Minister & BJP candidate from Jagiroad Assembly constituency, Pijush Hazarika, and his wife and actress Aimee Baruah, cast their votes at a polling station.#AssamAssemblyElections pic.twitter.com/41CkNy4Alf
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2026 Apr 09, 2026 12:05 IST
‘For Assam, development is synonymous with Narendra Modi and Himanta Biswa Sarma’ #WATCH | Jagiroad, Morigaon: Assam Minister & BJP candidate from Jagiroad Assembly constituency, Pijush Hazarika, says, “I am very optimistic that the outcome will be excellent. The common people of Assam are in favour of development. For Assam, ‘development’ is synonymous with… https://t.co/pinqGgRswc
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