Guwahati, April 9 (IANS) Assam on Thursday recorded its highest-ever voter turnout in the 2026 Assembly elections, with an impressive 85.38 per cent polling, reflecting strong public participation across the state, according to the Election Commission of India.

The turnout surpassed the previous record of 84.67 per cent registered during the 2016 Assembly elections, marking a significant milestone in the state’s electoral history.

Officials described the polling process as largely peaceful, with only a few minor incidents reported from scattered locations.

As per provisional data shared by polling authorities, female voters slightly outnumbered male participation, with women recording a turnout of 85.96 per cent compared to 84.80 per cent among men. The turnout among third-gender voters stood at 36.84 per cent.

Polling began at 7 a.m. across thousands of booths and witnessed steady voter queues throughout the day, particularly in rural and semi-urban constituencies.

Election officials attributed the high turnout to increased voter awareness, improved polling infrastructure, and enhanced accessibility measures.

For the first time, 100 per cent of polling stations in Assam were monitored through live webcasting, enabling real-time supervision by the Election Commission.

Senior officials, including the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, closely tracked the voting process to ensure transparency and smooth conduct.

Over 2.5 lakh polling personnel were deployed across 63,084 polling stations, with arrangements completed a day in advance. Mock polls were conducted before voting commenced in the presence of polling agents representing candidates, ensuring preparedness and confidence in the process.

Several voter-friendly initiatives were introduced, including colour photographs of candidates on EVM ballot units, mobile deposit facilities, redesigned voter information slips, and a cap of 1,200 voters per polling station to ease congestion.

Special arrangements were also made for persons with disabilities (PwD), including wheelchairs, volunteer assistance, and transport facilities to polling booths, further contributing to inclusive participation.

With such a robust turnout, Assam has set a new benchmark in electoral engagement, underlining the electorate’s enthusiasm and commitment to the democratic process.

–IANS

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