Voting Concludes in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry... Heavy Turnout Recorded in All Three Regions; Results Due on May 4

Voting for the assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry concluded on Thursday. By 6:00 PM, a voter turnout of 89.08 percent was recorded in Puducherry, 85.04 percent in Assam, and 77.38 percent in Kerala. All three regions saw a massive turnout, and all Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have now been sealed.

Since early morning, long queues had formed at polling stations across all three states. Women, youth, and the elderly turned out in large numbers to cast their votes. Puducherry witnessed a record-breaking voter turnout; local leaders and party workers there appeared visibly delighted. In Assam, too, the enthusiasm of the voters was clearly evident.

In Kerala, while the turnout was slightly lower compared to recent elections, it is still considered a respectable figure.

Speaking of Assam, the 2021 assembly elections had recorded a voter turnout of 82.42 percent. The highest-ever voter turnout in Assam was recorded in 2016, at 84.67 percent. Meanwhile, in Kerala, the previous assembly elections—held in 2021—saw a turnout of 76 percent; this time, a marginal increase has been observed. As for Puducherry, the 2021 elections recorded a voter turnout of 83.42 percent; the highest-ever turnout in Puducherry was recorded in 2011, at 86.19 percent.

Reports of Violence Also Emerge from Assam

During the voting process in Assam, incidents of violence were reported in certain areas, resulting in injuries to approximately 30 people and the arrest of 7 individuals. The most significant incident occurred in Patharkandi, in the Sribhumi district, where a Congress candidate arrived at a polling booth and smashed an EVM.

This triggered a physical altercation between Congress and BJP supporters, resulting in injuries to approximately 25 people.

Voting at that particular booth had to be suspended for nearly three hours. Additionally, clashes broke out in Dibrugarh between supporters of the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). On Wednesday night—prior to the commencement of voting—incidents of violence were also reported in Tamulpur and Sivasagar, necessitating the police to resort to firing in the air.

What were the security arrangements?

The Election Commission had deployed adequate police personnel at every polling booth. Comprehensive surveillance was maintained through CCTV cameras and webcasting. Wherever disturbances arose, the police intervened immediately and brought the situation under control.

What happens next?

Following the conclusion of voting, all EVM machines have been sealed. The counting of votes is scheduled to begin at 8:00 AM on May 4, and the results are expected to be declared on the same day. The electorate across all three states has cast its verdict, now locked within the EVMs; all political parties now await the final results.