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Polling will run from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm across 31,940 polling stations in 35 districts.

Polling officials after collecting election materials, board a boat to reach their respective booths on the eve of voting in the Assam Assembly elections. (PTI Photo)
Assam Elections 2026: Voting in Assam begins today, Friday, for the 126-member state Assembly, with 2.5 crore voters deciding the fate of 722 candidates. Polling will run from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm across 31,940 polling stations in 35 districts.
Over 1.5 lakh security personnel, including central armed police forces, will be deployed to maintain law and order. Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel has confirmed that additional polling staff are on standby, especially in remote areas like Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
Webcasting facilities will also be enabled at all polling stations for real-time monitoring of the process.
Basic facilities such as drinking water, toilets, waiting areas, and wheelchairs for persons with disabilities will be arranged. Senior citizens above 85 and identified persons with disabilities are eligible to vote from home.
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High-Stakes Contest
The elections are a direct contest between the BJP-led NDA, which is aiming for a third consecutive term, and the opposition coalition led by the Congress.
Key political figures in the fray include Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Congress state president Gaurav Gogoi, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi, and AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi.
The Congress has fielded 99 candidates, BJP 90, AIUDF 30, AGP 26, BPF 11, Raijor Dal 13, AJP 10, CPI(M) 3, APHLC 2, and AAP, UPPL, TMC, and JMM have also fielded candidates along with 258 Independents.
Among the electorate, there are 6.42 lakh first-time voters, 2.50 lakh aged 80 and above, including 2,466 centenarians, and 2.05 lakh persons with disabilities. Notably, 4,021 polling booths are being managed entirely by women staff, and 15 stations are dedicated to voters with disabilities.
Key Constituencies
Important constituencies to watch include Jalukbari, where CM Sarma seeks a sixth term against Congress’s Bidisha Neog, and Jorhat, where Gaurav Gogoi aims to make his assembly debut.
Other notable contests include Nazira, Tamulpur, Binnakandi, Sibsagar, Khowang, Bokakhat, and Kaliabor, with several triangular and multi-cornered fights.
The Election Commission has ensured that micro-observers are deployed in sensitive stations. Model polling stations have been set up in each constituency, and the Assam government has declared a public holiday to allow maximum voter participation.
Result Date And Follow-Up
Counting of votes will take place on May 4 from 8:00 am, with official results available on the Election Commission website.
Voters, election staff, and security forces are closely engaged in what is seen as a decisive election for Assam’s political future. With high voter turnout expected and key constituencies under intense scrutiny, today’s polling could reshape the state’s political landscape.
Assam, India, India
April 09, 2026, 12:00 AM IST
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