Guwahati, April 10: Assam witnessed an impressive voter turnout of 85.13% in the April 9 Assembly elections, as rain-soaked weather conditions failed to deter enthusiastic participation across the state. The figure, released by the Election Commission of India, surpasses the 82.04% turnout recorded in the 2021 elections.
Polling officially concluded at 5 pm, but long queues persisted at several booths well into the evening, reflecting strong voter engagement. Rural constituencies dominated the turnout charts, with Dalgaon (94.57%), Srijangram (94.33%), Jaleshwar (94.31%), and Mankachar (94.08%) recording some of the highest participation rates.
Districts such as Dhubri, Goalpara, Barpeta, and the Darrang–Morigaon belt consistently crossed the 90% turnout mark, underscoring robust rural mobilization. In contrast, urban centers, particularly in Guwahati, reported comparatively lower participation. Constituencies like Dispur (73.98%) and New Guwahati (71.27%) highlighted a noticeable rural-urban voting gap.
Voting momentum built steadily through the day, reaching 59.63% by 1 pm. Voters across regions cited development, governance, and employment as key factors influencing their choices, while many emphasized voting as a civic responsibility. Polling stations also maintained a festive atmosphere, with special arrangements in place for elderly and differently-abled voters.
The election process remained largely peaceful across the 126 constituencies, despite minor disruptions. Isolated incidents of violence and EVM glitches were reported but were promptly addressed by authorities. A polling official tragically passed away on duty in Sonitpur, while clashes in Golaghat, Tamulpur, and Sivasagar led to nine arrests.
Overall, the large-scale electoral exercise, involving over 2.49 crore voters and 722 candidates, was conducted smoothly, marking a significant demonstration of democratic participation in the state.
